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Ernest Williamson Obituary

REVEREND ERNEST W. WILLIAMSON SR., 86, passed away September 6, 2007 at his residence. Reverend Williamson was currently serving as the Vice Chairman and Regional Director of the HomeMission Board of the National Baptist Convention, US A. Born July 18, 1921 in New Albany, Mississippi, he was a distinguished U. S. Army veteran who served as Technical Sergeant from 1942-1945. He was a graduate of bothLemoyne Owen College and Fisk University and finished post graduate work at the American Baptist Theological Seminary of Nashville, Tennessee. He faithfully served as pastor for several churches over a fifty year period, including Greater Middle Baptist and Olivet Baptist Churches in Memphis, Tennessee, Zion Hill Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois, and Woodlawn Baptist Church in Brownsville, Tennessee. Reverend Williamson served on many distinguished boards including the Continental Development Corporation and the Family Social Service Commission of Cook County. He was the first African American to serve on the board of Holiday Inn of America, Inc., and to run for the Memphis City School Board. He held a commission of Colonel on the staff offormer Tennessee Governor Buford Ellington and was appointed Honorary Lieutenant Governor of Tennessee by then Senator Albert Gore, Sr. He respectfully served as a Probation Officer for Shelby County and was currently serving on the Beale Street Development Commission. He was a faithful and dedicated member of the Baptist Ministerial Association as well as the NAACP. He is survived by Ruby Ann Williamson, his faithful wife of 66 years; daughter, Gwendolyn Sellers of Denmark, SC; two sons, Ernest W. Williamson, Jr., and George Keith Williamson, both of Memphis; sisters, Jimmie I Bradley and Mae Stribbling, both of Memphis; and one brother, George Williamson of Milwaukee, WI. He is also survived by nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Visitationwillbe Wednesday, September 12, from 6-8 p.m. at N. J. Ford & Sons Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, September 13 atGreater Middle Baptist Church with interment to follow in the Rotunda of West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, Memphis, TN. N. J. Ford & Sons Funeral Home 901-948-7755

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Commercial Appeal on Sep. 9, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Ernest Williamson

Not sure what to say?





Vernon Smith

September 16, 2007

Gwen (and Family)
We are saddened to learn of the death of your Father.

Vern & Val

The C.V. Lebby Family

September 16, 2007

Deepest Sympathy.

LaVern Featherstone Lane

September 15, 2007

Mrs. Williamson and Family:
Coping with loss is never easy, but may it bring comfort to know that the warmth and support of caring people surround in this season of your life. I pray thatloving memories and your faith in God will sustain you.
God loves you and so do I!

Carl, Tonya & Graham Griffin

September 14, 2007

Mrs. Ruby Williamson and Family, our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of bereavement. May God continue to bless and strengthen you as you celebrate the Life of Reverend Williamson.

Lartarasha Patterson

September 13, 2007

I will keep your family in my prayers.

Dawn Carter

September 12, 2007

Trey and Family,
Losing a loved one is never easy, no matter what the circumstance. 86 years is truly a blessing. I, too, just buried my Grandmother a month ago. It is my prayer, that God will comfort you and your family now and forever. Cherish those he left behind....

Doyal, Cheryl and Kathryn Siddell

September 12, 2007

My Dear Cousins,

DO KNOW THAT our thoughts and prayers are with you during this, your time of sorrow ... while weeping may endure for a night, do know that "joy always comes in the morning."

Sincerely,

Patrice Thompson

September 12, 2007

Mrs.
Williamson, Keith, Shelby and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with
you during this time. May the peace of God be with you now and always.
Your neighbors, The Thompsons (Jerry, Patrice, Rashaan and JoElle)

Marian Lynn and Turquoise Thompson

September 11, 2007

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Erica Adams

September 11, 2007

May God bless you and your family, stay prayerful. Me and my famiy will keep you all in our prayers.

Dunn and Erica Adams and sons.

Minister McStella Hinds, Associate Minister, St. Jude M. B. Church

September 11, 2007

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Glenda Warrior

September 11, 2007

Gwen and Sway
I am sorry for your loss. Rondalynn and I lost her grandfather about a week ago. He was like a father to me since I was 18 years old. I can honestly say I know how you two must be feeling right now. Just remember your grandfather had a long full life. Sway, he was with you for 34 years. Be proud and celebrate his life with laughter and praise.
Love

Candace Cliatt

September 11, 2007

Dear Sellers Family,
I am very sorry for your loss, but remember that everything happens for a reason and God never puts more on us than we can bear.
-Candace

Myrelo King

September 11, 2007

Dear Sway and Family,
I am praying that the love and peace that comes from God keeps your hearts and your minds during this time. Stand on the shoulders that bore you many years of love.

Jeffrey Rogers

September 11, 2007

Words are sometimes hard to come by that can express all of what Rev's presence means to me. Just know he will always be a cherished gem in my heart. Much Love and Strength to you all. Jeff and Family

Tia Johnson-Crowley

September 10, 2007

Dear Sway, Mr. & Mrs. Sellers and family,

Over the years you all have been a big heart to everything and everyone whom you all come in contact with. I hope that your father and grandfather is at peace and that your mother and grandmother is healing. It is hard to lose those who we cherish daily. However, your grandfather lives in you all everyday and is the reason that your work on earth matters.

I love you all to bits and pieces,

Tia Johnson-Crowley
New Orleans, Louisiana :)

Robert & Tondra Watkins & Sons

September 10, 2007

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Lovell Ray

September 10, 2007

Therefore we are confident,knowing that while we are absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
2nd Corinthians 5:8

Our heavenly father will hold your family in the hollow of his hands as a comforting place and may his grace be until your family.

Julie Bowers

September 10, 2007

Nosizwe' and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I remember you speaking of your grandfather and grandmother with such love and respect and of how they have influenced your life and how much you admire them. I know you worried about them and wanted to be near them. I am praying for you and your family, but rejoice in the fact that your dear grandfather is in heaven with our heavenly father.

Gwendolyn Littlejohn

September 10, 2007

To the Sellers and Williamson families,
On behalf of the Denmark Branch of AAUW, we extend our sincerest sympathy in the loss of your love one. We know that God has chosen one of his special angels to come home to rest. Be assured that he is at peace.
Secretary, AAUW

Anita Nelam

September 10, 2007

May God's peace comfort you move through this very difficult week.

Gladys McGowan

September 10, 2007

My prayers and condolences to the Williamson family, especially to Mrs. Jimmie Bradley, my morning inspirational walking partner. To live is Christ, to die is gain. Do not sorrow as those who have no hope. Look to the hills from whence cometh thy help, all of our help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.
God will keep you and He will sustain all of you at this time of loss. The joy of the Lord will be your strength in this hour. May you be comforted by Gods' presence and power. Peace be with you.

Janice & Jacques Cliatt

September 10, 2007

Gwen, the Sellers Family and Mother Williamson - We are sadden that Rev. Williamson has finally retired from here but there is a celebration going on in heaven.

Love,

Ray Ricard

September 10, 2007

In Times Likes these God will Take Care of you,through it all continue to learn to depend upon his word.my prayers are with you all.

Brian Walsh

September 10, 2007

To Rev. Williamson's family. I have never met Reverend Williamson, but I am a friend of his grandaughter, Nosizwe Sellers. I'm sorry for your loss and I know you will miss your loved one. However, this is a home going for him now, and just imagine the time he is having in Heaven now. He is walking around on streets of gold with Jesus! It doesn't get any better than that.

Kathy Sistare

September 10, 2007

Nosizwe' and family,
Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. One of the things that I admire about you and your family is the closeness and love that you have for each other.There was always pride when you spoke of them. I know that this is a great loss for you but I also know that the love and respect that you have for each other will bind you together so that the burden and sorrow will be easier to bear.
God Bless you and your family.
Kathy Sistare

Brian Williams

September 10, 2007

To the Williamson and Sellars family in this time of grief I extend my deepest sympathy. Look towards each other and God for the strength that you need. Prayers and Love go out to you always from the Williams Family

Lynn Baker

September 10, 2007

Nosizwe,
I am so sorry for your loss. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

florence and charles tate

September 10, 2007

gwen, condolences and much love to you and family on the sad occasion of the passing of your beloved father.
florence and charles

myra funderburk

September 9, 2007

My dear and special friend....you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. God bless you all.
Myra Funderburk

Dr. Lucy J. Reuben

September 9, 2007

My family and I extend the most heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Gwen Sellers and the entire Williamson family upon the passing of Rev. Williamson. Certainly, the world is better due to his life of service and leadership. Rev. Williamson was clearly both a beacon and a role model for many. Rev, Williamson will be long remembered.

Freida & Jamee Hall-DeWalt

September 9, 2007

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Bob James

September 9, 2007

Hello Gwen (and family),
I was saddened to learn of the death of your loved one. My prayer is that, in time, God will grant you the peace and, eventually, the joy, that He alone can give.

Bettylou Terry

September 9, 2007

Our sympathy to the Williamson family. I have only had the pleasure of knowing and working with Gwendolyn Sellers, but her actions speak strongly of coming from a wonderful family.

Kala Hinton

September 9, 2007

My prayers are with you all.

Mr. Walter Richard

September 9, 2007

You were always there, when we needed you most.

Pastor Garry B. McGory & Family

September 9, 2007

Our prayers are with you former pastor of Watson Grove Baptist Church New Albany, Ms

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