Juanita Carol Williams

Juanita Carol Williams, age 86, passed peacefully on Saturday May 5, 2018 surrounded by family. She was born on June 6, 1931, to Miles and Rebecca Wilson. She gave her life to Christ at a young age and served as an active member of several churches during her lifetime, including Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Little Rock and Roanoke Baptist Church in Hot Springs. She was educated in Arkansas public schools, received her B.A. degree from Philander Smith College in Little Rock, AR and her M.A. degree from the University of Central Arkansas. Juanita integrated Lewisville public schools, as the first Black teacher of French in that High School system; set up the foreign language department at Peake High School in Arkadelphia, Ark. and taught English and French for 25 years in Arkansas public schools. Her civic involvement included Frances Harper Federated Women's Club, Inc. and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Upon her return to Hot Springs, Ark. Juanita established the Hot Springs Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and served as its first President. She organized the Spa City Federated Women's Club, Inc. and its Youth Club affiliate "The Unique Advancers". She served as Secretary for American Association of University Women and Church Women United in Garland County. She established the B.G. & Juanita Williams Endowment, funding scholarships for college students who plan to teach and the Williams Education Center, which honored many of Arkansas' Educators for several years. Juanita was married to Benjamin George Williams, who preceded her in death, as well as her parents and five sisters. She is survived by one biological daughter, Wanda Wyatt (Pete Wyatt) and two grandsons, Brandon Wyatt (Chicago) and Jared Wyatt (Billie Wyatt) (Memphis, Tenn.); three step-children: Kenneth G. Lee (Atlanta, Ga.), Bennietta Hatchett (Ira Hatchett) (Bay St. Louis, Mo.), Linda Jackson (Sewickley, Pa.); one sister, Willie Johnson (Little Rock, Ark.); two brothers, Miles Wilson (Delores Wilson) (Salisbury, N.C.) and James Wilson (Gloria Wilson) (Little Rock, Ark.); and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Juanita was an Educator, Philanthropist and Visionary. She was loved by family and friends and lived a full life. In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations may be made to the Juanita C. and B.G. Williams Endowment, c/o Hot Springs Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 56, Hot Springs, Ark. 71902 or online www.arcf.org/WilliamsEducation. The Juanita C. and B.G. Williams Endowment supports scholarships at National Park College for students planning to be teachers. Family hour is Thursday, May 10th, 7-8 p.m. at Ruffin & Jarrett Funeral Home, 1200 Chester Street, Little Rock, Ark. Her funeral service will be Friday, May 11th, at 11 a.m., at Roanoke Baptist Church, 231 Whittington Ave., Hot Springs, Ark. Interment follows at Crestview Memorial Park, Hot Springs.