Dr. Carolyn Chandler - Williams

Dr. Carolyn Chandler Williams was born on January 13, 1947 in Maben, Mississippi to Irene Blanchard Dean and the late L.A. Chandler. She transitioned peacefully in the presence of the love of her life, L.T. Williams after a hard-fought battle after suffering a stroke. Days prior to her passing, she was surrounded by her family and friends. Carolyn is survived by her husband of 51 years, L.T. Williams, two daughters, Lori Williams Taylor (Edward) of Glen Ellyn, Illinois and Letonya Williams of Fairburn, Georgia, her mother and father, Irene and Norris Dean of Mantee, Mississippi, sisters, Dorothy Dean Avant (Robert), Norice Dean Nash (Percy), Regina Dean Reed (Oscar) of Maben, Mississippi, Ruby Chandler Miller (Al) of Cleveland Ohio, Delois Chandler Christian (Nathaniel) of Fort Wayne, Indiana, sister-in-law, Elsie Williams Coffer and Mary Williams (Lawrence) of Starkville,Mississippi, one brother Lawrence Anthony Chandler of Fort Wayne, Indiana, brother-in-law, Jurell Williams of Starkville Mississippi, six grandchildren, Justin, Sydney, and Evan Taylor of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, London Williams-Hooks, Cheyenne Gibson, and Haley Johnson of Fayetteville, Georgia, loving nieces, Vanessa Coffer Hooks (Derrick) of Fayetteville, Georgia, Nia Avant Robinson (Michael) of Canton, Mississippi and a host of cousins, dear family and friends. She was preceded in death by her father, L.A.Chandler and her sister Marlene Dean. Carolyn confessed her love of Christ and was baptized at an early age at Grove Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Maben Mississippi. Her exceptional intelligence was first recognized as a young child and graduated from Oktibbeha-Webster High School at sixteen, in 1964. She married her college sweetheart, L.T. on July 25, 1966 in Greenwood, Mississippi. Carolyn matriculated from Mississippi Valley State University in 1968, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in English Education and began her life mission of helping others gain their education at Aberdeen Public Schools where her influence is still felt by her former students and families, many of whom are close friends today. Carolyn then taught at Mary Holmes College from 1971-1973. In 1973, Carolyn became one of the first African American students to earn her Masters of Education in Secondary Education, at Mississippi State University, followed by her Doctorate of Education in Curriculum and Instruction in 1975 also from Mississippi State University. After 17 years serving as a Professor and Administrative Intern to the President at MSU, Carolyn continued to challenge herself and advancing her career by moving to Tyler, Texas to serve as the Vice President of Development and Institutional Advancement at Jarvis Christian College, followed by six years at Albany State University, as Director of Public Service and Continuing Education where she instituted the College Prep Program focused on providing educational and mentor support for rural 8th through 12th grade at risk students. In 2002, Carolyn and L.T. moved to Conway Arkansas where she served as the Associate Dean of the College of Education as well as the Assistant to the Dean at University of Central Arkansas. While at UCA, Carolyn continued her passion for teaching and grant writing. She was successful in being awarded numerous grants that she wrote during her career, the largest being a 2.3 million “Transition to Teaching” Grant that was one of the largest grant awarded in the history UCA. She was an excellent grant writer and loved every opportunity to help people love the joy of teaching and helping those in need. It was at work that Carolyn had her first stroke. She was a survivor and tough as nails, not only throughout her life but even through the most difficult times. After her first stroke, she defied the odds and lived 2 more years with her love, L.T. caring for her as he has done all their married life. Carolyn was a fighter and lived eight days after doctors’ expectations, before she transitioned to her new life with the Lord. “Service is the rent we pay for living” This quote has been credited to Shirley Chisolm, and Mohammad Ali, but no matter who said it, it truly exemplifies who Carolyn was. Dr. Williams served on many boards and was honored often throughout her life, she was a member of Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society and served as President of the Mid-South Educational Research Association. She was also inducted into the Starkville Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame in 1991 and named Woman of the Year, Mississippi Jaycees in 1989. Carolyn was recognized as an Outstanding Educator, Consortium of Doctors in 1991 and State Merit Outstanding Educator in Higher Education, Phi Delta Kappa. She was also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and The Links Inc. In times of difficulty you often find out the true character of who someone really is and over the past few weeks, many people have shared their stories on the positive impact Carolyn had on their lives. She was generous to a fault, always willing to give you a hand or the shirt off her back and literally the shoes off her feet to help others. She was an educator through and through and believed that everyone should strive to further their education, and excel to the highest, she shared freely and cared deeply for others. It is by her and L.T.’s example that her children and friends have learned what a servant’s heart truly means. Their home was always open to others, if you needed a place to stay for a short time or a semester or two, Dr. Williams would have a place for you. At one time, she had 13 college women staying an extended weekend in their home. Dr. Williams’ other love was her grandchildren, she loved being Nana! All of her grandkids knew that Nana was just a phone call away when they needed help with writing papers or to discuss the merits of a book they were reading. She was also their biggest champion, they could never do any wrong. During the summer, she and L.T. had Nana Camp, complete with a daily agenda of reading, exploring and written reports, even the 3-year-old had to do a “report”. Her grandkids will always remember the fond times spent with Nana, as she would as often say, she was their “huckleberry”.

Dr. Carolyn Chandler - Williams

January 13, 1947 - September 4, 2017