Jesse R. Williamson

Jesse R. Williamson passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on June 1, 2018.

Dr. Williamson, a native of Pulaski, Tenn., loved to travel nationally and internationally. He was also hopelessly devoted to his family and the dental profession, which became his passion and life's work.

Jesse left Pulaski after high school to serve his country in the United States Navy. He later worked as a porter on the Santa Fe Railroad to help finance his way through Tennessee State College (now University) and Meharry Dental School in Nashville. After dental school he took an internship with the Delaware State Board of Health in 1956 where he worked in the schools of Kent County. He later opened his solo practice in 1960, where he worked until his retirement in 2005.

Dr. Williamson was active in the community, as evidenced by his support for civil rights, as a church steward for 35 years (Mt. Zion AM.E.), a member of the board of trustees at Delaware State University for 18 years and a board member of the YMCA. Other affiliations included Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, The Frontiers and the Wilmington chapter of The Boule. He also held membership in local, state and national dental societies.

His survivors include his wife of 62 years, Betsy (Summers); sons, Richard and Robert; daughter, Jessica Renee; granddaughters, Sheridan Williamson of Wilmington, Chanel Williamson of Dover, Mekalah Jones of Dover, Raya Williamson of Dover; a cousin, Dr. Conrad Douglas of Nashville; and extended family members from Tennessee, Texas and Delaware.

Memorial services for Dr. Williamson will be held Saturday, July 14, at Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church, 101 N. Queen St., Dover, at 11 a.m. Alpha Phi Alpha Omega service will be at 10:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Delaware Hospice or Alzheimer's research.