Barbara E. Williamson

Barbara E. Williamson

74, of Indianapolis, a woman known for her gracious hospitality, good humor, enlightened conversation, considerable intelligence and keen wit, has been taken from us on October 8, 2016 by cancer.  

She was the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Abraham Unger, the devoted and loving wife of Clark Williamson, and the unconditionally loving mother of Scott T. Williamson of whom she was justifiably proud. And she was the delighted mother-in-law of Eva Williamson. She leaves also her brother, Richard W. Unger, of whom she was genuinely fond.

She was the valedictorian of her high school class of which he, in the same year, was the salutatorian. She graduated from the University of Chicago with a BA in French and an MA in linguistics. She earned the BA in three years, graduating with honors.

Her hospitality was considerable. At the end of each semester in which her husband taught at Christian Theological Seminary, she hosted a party for the students in all of his classes. As well, she hosted many a get-together for faculty, friends and neighbors.

Her professional career in Indianapolis began with a stint of teaching French at Crispus Attucks High School for two years. Experiences there and her deep commitment to justice and liberty led her to work for the Indiana Civil Liberties Union (now the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana), for which she served as executive director in the 1970s. Subsequently she worked in the United States Attorney's Office as the chief administrative officer, after which she worked as a courtroom deputy clerk in the Federal Court House.

A classy and elegant woman, her major hobby, other than traveling to Europe and gardening, was knitting and crocheting. Many afghans, lap blankets, caps, sweaters and baby blankets have been given to friends, co-workers, and distributed to the Julian Center and St. Augustine's home for the aging. She loved music and making music, playing piano for an hour every day. She read social history and knew by rote the names of the kings of England and the presidents of the United States.

There will be a memorial service for her at Central Christian Church, 701 N. Delaware, Indianapolis, on Saturday, November 5, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Central Christian Church, Planned Parenthood or American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana.  Arrangements handled by Flanner and Buchanan-Broad Ripple.