Shirley Floretta Williams

FITCHBURG-Shirley S. (nèe Stennis) Williams, age 78, of Fitchburg, Wis., passed away on the evening of Monday, June 20, 2016, at her home. She was born on Nov. 11, 1937, in Columbia, Miss., the daughter of Rufus B. Stennis and Julia Odessa (nèe Barnes) Stennis who instilled in her an appreciation of knowledge and a love of music. Shirley met Robert C. Williams in Chicago in the late 1950s and they were later united in marriage in September 1960 in her hometown of Columbia, Miss. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2010. Prior to meeting her husband, Robert, Shirley attended Jackson State University in Jackson, Miss. She graduated as valedictorian of her class in 1958 with a B.S. in Elementary Education and a minor in Music Education. Shirley followed in the footsteps of her parents and grandfather and in 1959 became a teacher. She worked in the Chicago Public Schools until 1964 when she decided to pursue advanced degrees in education. Shirley enrolled at Vanderbilt University's George Peabody College for Teachers in Nashville, Tenn., where she earned a Masters in Elementary Education (1964) and continued her doctoral studies there. While completing her coursework, Shirley gave birth to her eldest son Donovan in January 1966. Six months later she accepted a position at the Wisconsin State University at Oshkosh (WSU-O)—which is now known as University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh—while simultaneously finishing her dissertation. On top of all of this, Shirley learned that not only were there no blacks at the university, there were none in the entire city of 30,000 people! Appointed by the university as the local director of a new national initiative called Head Start in 1967, Shirley worked with a staff of eight to provide preschool children of low-income families with a comprehensive program to meet with emotional, social, health, nutritional and psychological needs. She continued working on her dissertation and became a parent for the second time with the birth of son Rodger in August 1968. Shirley was granted tenure by the university in 1970. She then was awarded her Ed.D by Vanderbilt University in 1972. She continued to make her mark at the university, rising up from associate and assistant professor to vice chancellor. This later led to her position at the University of Wisconsin System as a Senior System Academic Planner in 1985 with the responsibility of overseeing the teacher education programs at the 11 state university campuses. Always striving for higher goals, Shirley was hired as the Dean of Education at Edinboro University in Edinboro, PA for their School of Education in 1990. Four years later, she accepted the same position at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Having dedicated 45 years to the field of education, Shirley retired in 2004 and elected to return to Wisconsin to be close to her husband and sons. Never one to be idle, Shirley remained active in the community and her church. A few examples are that she volunteered with the Madison Metropolitan School District to tutor children, was appointed the board of the regional chapter of the Girl Scouts of America, and participated with the local chapter of the Links, a service organization of professional women. Her association with the Church Mothers of Mount Zion was a cherished activity. She also pursued hobbies in gardening, writing, computers, and genealogy. Shirley is survived by her husband, Robert C. Williams of Fitchburg, Wis.; sons, Donovan Stennis Williams of Saint Paul, Minn. and Rodger Stennis (Sandy Otto) Williams of Fitchburg, Wis.; sister, Ruth (Homer) Williams of Columbus, Ohio; nephews, Harlan Williams of Houston, Texas and Bretton (Stephannie) Williams of Columbus, Ohio; and niece, LaNelle (Mounir BenBrahim) Williams of Columbus, Ohio; her church family from Mount Zion Baptist Church as well as a host of family members, friends, and colleagues. Funeral services will be held at MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH, 2019 Fisher St., Madison, at Noon, on Saturday, June 25, 2016, with the Rev. Dr. Leonard Thompson Sr. officiating. Interment will take place at Oak Hall Cemetery after the conclusion of the service. Visitation will be held at the church from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m., on Friday, June 24, 2016, and from 11 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. A repast will take place at the church immediately following the burial. The family would like to thank the compassionate staff at Agrace HospiceCare during the last few weeks. They would also like to express their gratitude to Dr. Henry Pitot of the Mayo Clinic for his many years of devoted care to Shirley the last two decades. His knowledge and support was invaluable to the family. Flowers and cards are welcome in memory of Shirley. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Shirley F. Stennis-Williams Scholarship Fund, 5738 Schumann Dr., Fitchburg, WI 53711. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson Fitchburg Funeral & Cremation Care 2950 Chapel Valley Road (608)442-5002