Olive V. Williams Esq.

Olive Virginia Ekundayo Williams, Esq., born on January 10, 1943, in, Freetown, Sierra Leone, was the first child of Henry Vidalson Ladejobi Williams and Sylvia Blanche Saint Winifred Ajolla Williams. A former resident of Plainfield, New Jersey, and Deltona, Florida, she passed away on December 1, 2025.
She began her education in Freetown, Sierra Leone, at the Freetown Secondary School for Girls (FSSG) and later emigrated to the United States, where she lived for 64 years and established a distinguished academic and professional career. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University, a Master of Science in Business Education from Columbia University, and a Juris Doctor from Seton Hall University School of Law.
During her college and early professional years, she worked with the Urban League of Greater New York and served as Secretary to the Ambassador at the Permanent Mission of Sierra Leone to the United Nations. She was admitted to both the New Jersey Bar and the Federal Bar Association.
As a charter member of Essex County College, Olive served in several leadership roles over her 20-year tenure, including Professor, Coordinator, Department Chair, Associate Dean of Faculty, and Acting Dean of Academic Affairs. Her work helped shape academic standards, curriculum development, and student support services across the institution.
Beyond academia, Olive practiced law in Newark, where she courageously opened her own law practice focusing on immigration and family law. She was a charter member of the Association of Black Women Lawyers of New Jersey and served in a variety of public civic roles, including Essex County Assistant Prosecutor and Essex County Executor. She also supported numerous civic programs throughout the City of Newark.
Olive received several recognitions throughout her career, including the Outstanding Young Woman of America Award and listings in national and international publications recognizing her work in education and law.
Of all her accomplishments, Olive was most proud of her family. She is survived by her four beloved children: Onike Valerie Tejan, Wanza Jonjo (née Collier), Gamal and Michelle Collier, and Maunzel and Soulemane Bamba (née Ojeah); her grandchildren, Sherri, Marqui, Wanza, Etoine, Samantha, Napheesa, Jamillah, Kai, Andre, Kadija, and Kalifa; her siblings: Donald and Sophie Williams, Dalton Williams, Blanche Williams, Daphne Williams, and Doreen Williams; her ten great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson. She also leaves to mourn her several beloved nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, uncles, aunts, cousins, and a host of cherished friends-her "disaster control" circle.
She now joins her parents, her granddaughter, Aminata, younger brothers, Jocelyn Williams and Derrick Williams, in rest.
May her soul rest in peace.
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