Willora Jean Alderson

Willora Jean Alderson was the fifteenth and final child born into the loving household of Leon and

Piccola Coleman on August 21, 1952 in Forrest City, Arkansas. Willora was free spirited and described

herself as just a little bit spoiled as she recalled spending summers with older brothers or sisters who

had moved away to Chicago or Detroit as they started families of their own.

With parents born at the turn of the century (1901 and 1911) and growing up with 7 brothers and 7

sisters in the 50’s and 60’s, Willora enjoyed tight knit family and community bonds that nurtured her

with magnitudes of love that gave her not only the strength to endure, but courage to challenge cultural

adversities that gripped their societal era. Willora was among the first to integrate the public school

system in Forrest City. She participated in several marches for civil freedoms throughout the city and as a

young college student in the 70’s, she was among the first groups to integrate the University of Arkansas

at Fayetteville where she earned a Bachelors in Sociology. It is there she met and married (8/21/1971)

her husband of 52 years, Winston Alderson, who preceded her in death a year ago (8/31/2023).

Willora was armed with a new degree and was ready to begin her career but always said she answered

God’s greater call for her life as a homemaker. After a brief stint in California, she and her husband

settled in his home town of El Dorado, Arkansas where they lovingly raised their two children in a Christ-

filled home. They thought it important to model Christian values before their children. Though Willora

would say she never formally contributed to the workforce, she spent many years dedicating her works

unto the Lord. Not only was she her children’s biggest cheerleader and greatest encourager, she devoted

herself to prayer and spent countless hours in her secret place before the Lord. We did not understand

this as children but remembering our mother’s posture of prayer is what led me back to Christ in later

years. Willora birthed Jesus & Me Ministries to deliver the message of the gospel through mail. These

tracts were sent locally, nationwide and even globally as Willora understood she had been commissioned

to disciple others to Jesus. She taught Sunday school and served in the Children’s ministry of her local

church for several. She also volunteered her time visiting (and often befriending) elderly residents in

nursing homes throughout El Dorado for over 15 years. Willora performed these selfless acts quietly—

never for the applause of others. She took to heart God’s command for us to LOVE as outlined in Matt

22:36-40 and would tell anyone “I just love to love”. Her kindness impacted so many lives in so many

different ways and will live on in our hearts forever.

To cherish this legacy of love, Willora leaves behind her beloved children Winston (Isabel) Alderson II of

Springdale, AR, and Amber Alderson of Cibolo, TX, her beloved grandchildren Bridgette Brown, Amar

Rodgers, Zaya Rodgers, Micah King, and Omari Alderson, her beloved siblings Arbutice Montgomery of

San Francisco, CA, Dorothy (Harold) Love of Santa Fe, NM, Mary Coleman of Gary, IN, Leona Brodie of

Detroit, MI, Delois (Willie) Norman of Houston, TX, and Stanley (Lydia) Coleman of Tulsa, OK.

Willora was preceded in death by her husband, Winston Alderson, parents Leon and Piccola Coleman,

and 8 siblings.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there

is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will

award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his

appearing” 2 Timothy 4:7-8 NIV