Dot Williams

Dorothy “Dot� Neville Ouzts Williams, 84, passed July 2, 2010. Dot was born in Tryon, NC on January 5, 1926, grew up in Charlotte, NC and in 1942 moved with her family to Spartanburg, SC. Her parents were the late Tallulah “Tut� McFall Cork Ouzts and David Thomas Ouzts. Mrs. Williams graduated from Spartanburg High School, won a drama scholarship to Converse College and graduated in 1947 with an A.B. in Theater. Early on, Dot showed a flair for the dramatic whether it was, at 12 years old, operating her own “Dorothy’s School for Expression� for young ladies or going up against strong opposition to establish the state’s first four-way stop on Palmetto Street where she told City Council, “…we live between dynamite and sudden death� referring to two notoriously perilous intersections. Undoubtedly countless injuries and deaths were prevented by Dot’s unrelenting perseverance. From acting in community theatre plays to winning photograph, art, and gardening awards, sculpting amazing ice princesses to the delight of her Converse Heights neighbors to directing an endearing “The Night Before Christmas� for Troop 87 at Trinity Methodist Church, Dot’s exuberant personality and talent will be heartbreakingly missed. As mother of four and a wife, Dot took on, at age 49, a new venture as Special Events Director with the Spartanburg Parks and Recreation Department which, for 20 years, gave joy to many who will recall her original, fun-filled events, such as “Santa’s Talking Mailbox,� “The Easter Rock Hunt,� “Paint-A-Heart Contest,� and Halloween favorite, Cleveland Park’s “Haunted Forest� as well as numerous fascinating summer activities for kids throughout Spartanburg County. Survivors include her children: LTC (R) Arthur “Skip� Carlyle Williams, Jr. of Columbus, NC, Dorothy “Deede� Williams Cohen of Spartanburg, and Alice Hulings Smith of Inman with respective spouses: Reva, Jeffrey, and Jamie. Dot, also known as “Dada� to her sisters and their friends, leaves behind grandchildren: Arthur “Trey� Carlyle Williams III of Olney, MD, Evan McFall Williams and Jennifer “Jenny� Grace Williams of Raleigh, NC, and Colin Carlyle Smith and Griffin James Smith of Inman, SC. Mary Ripp Williams, widow of a son, of Raleigh, also survives. Dada was predeceased by a son: David Thomas Ouzts Williams of Raleigh and her husband of 59 years, Arthur “Art� Carlyle Williams. Surviving as well are sisters of Spartanburg, Nancy “Tootsie� Ouzts Demo and Virginia “Tut� Tallulah Ouzts Cobb. The family will be at Dot’s home from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, July 6, 2010. A memorial service and celebration of Dot’s life is to be held in the chapel of First Presbyterian Church (which Mrs. Williams was a member of for 68 years), conducted by the Rev. Dr. William L. Arthur on Saturday, July 17, 2010 at 10:00 A.M. Following the service, the family will receive friends in the church parlor. In memory of Mrs. Dot Williams, gifts may be made to Converse College, 580 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302; to the Winter Warmth Project, First Presbyterian Church, 393 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302; or to the charity of one’s choice. Floyd’s North Church Street Chapel