Tributes

In Galveston, Texas at John Sealy Hospital on August 17, 1936, a musical vessel was born into the earth’s realm in the form of a precious baby girl. Her parents J. C. and Ruth M. Shannon named her Ollie Jewel. She would succeed to be one of God’s gifted Maestro Musicians and Teacher Extraordinaire. She was a unique “Jewel” in all facets of her noble life. Ollie inherited a rich legacy of faith, family, and character that would serve her well. She was born into a Christian family therefore; her early spiritual journey began at Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church where she accepted Jesus the Christ as her personal Saviour and was baptized. Being a faithful and devout lifetime member, she began playing for the Sunday School at a very young age. For over seventy years she served as Pianist and director of the Music Department. This commitment to music overflowed into the South Texas Regular District Association. Ollie was always a seeker of knowledge, she was intelligent and loved school even from a young age. This ideology manifested itself into a person who valued the importance of education. Her educational accolades began at the age of five when she was enrolled in kindergarten. She completed her secondary education as a 1953 graduate of Lincoln High School. During her high school years, she was involved in everything including sports. Her love was basketball, and she played on a basketball team of excellent players. They played so well, they were asked to play Texas Southern University and Lincoln High won the game! Following in her mother’s footsteps and enhancing her love of education; she attended Prairie View A&M University receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music and Texas Southern University where she received her Masters Degree in Music. Continuing her pursuit of higher education, she further studied at The University of Houston and the University of St. Thomas. One memorable summer Ollie was introduced to Leonard Williams who was in town visiting his sister, Louise. They became inseparable, fell in love and became husband and wife on February 17, 1958. This love story would span 58 years. This wonderful marriage would be blessed with a beautiful daughter, Fariece. They made their family home in La Marque. Ollie would become the beloved matriarch of three generations, guiding them with unconditional love, Christian values and principles. Her home was a haven of love for her family, extended family and friends. Ollie the Teacher extraordinaire who inspired her students to excel and pursue their goals and dreams, began her professional career at Lorraine Crosby Elementary School. She taught second grade and music for five years. Her mother was her paradigm when it came to teaching. She also learned so much from the Senior Teachers she worked with. In 1962 her dream of teaching in her hometown became a reality when she was hired by La Marque Independent School District. She taught Language Arts and Music at Lake Road Elementary, 6th –7th grade Music at La Marque Intermediate, and 5th-7th Music, Arts and Drama at Bayou Road for a total of 29 years. She was “Outstanding Teacher of the Year” at Lake Road in 1968 and “Teacher of the Month” at Bayou Road in 1984. She retired after 34 years of teaching in 1991. Ollie gave valuable service as a Golden Life member of the NAACP Mainland Branch #620, and a member of Texas City - La Marque Retired Educators Association. She was so proud to be a dedicated member of the Rutha M. Hicks Chapter #29, Order of Eastern Stars-Norris Wright Cuney Grand Chapter (PHA), named after her beloved mother. Because of her dedication and faithfulness over the years, Ollie has received many awards, plaques, trophies and letters from various schools, churches and community functions. She is most proud of her awards for Mother of the Year, Lincoln Reunion Committee Honoree, her 80th Birthday being proclaimed “Ollie Jewel Williams Day” in all of Galveston County, La Marque Times “About Our Town,” Induction into the Music Hall of Fame, the Ecumenical Prayer Partners, Court of Calanthe Honoree, crowning of Mrs. Homecoming at the Prairie View A&M University Homecoming halftime festivities in 2007, celebrating her classes’ 50th Reunion, Mainland United Task Force Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unsung Hero Award, Galveston County Commissioner Stephen D. Holmes Community Pioneer Award and the Community Living Legend Award. She went to sleep in the arms of Jesus on January 2, 2023 with her family by her side. She is preceded in death by her parents, J. C. and Ruth M. Shannon; siblings, J. C. Shannon, Jr. and Patricia Nelson; husband, Leonard Williams, and other loved ones. The melody of her beautiful life will forever linger in the hearts of her devoted and caring daughter, Fariece Preston; beloved granddaughters, Shelbi Hill (Michael) and Montrese Preston; great-grandson, Leo Hill; bonus grandchildren, Brandi Preston, and Clayton Preston Jr., (Marie); God-children, LaTasha Gary, Joseph Patrick Brown, Cherisse Richardson, and Damon Yancy; bonus daughter, Michelle Bell; dear friends, Carrie Gary, Johnnie Williams, and Jean Rollins; generations of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, church family, colleagues, students and friends.