Wanda Louise Williams

Wanda was born in Miles City, Montana to Edna May Dodson and Charles Branham. Soon after her birth the family moved to Fargo, North Dakota where she spent her early childhood. Later the family relocated to Cumberland, Kentucky where she excelled in her studies and was accepted to attend Berea College. There she met Garland “Smokie” Williams and they married in 1949.

In the spring of 1951 Wanda & Smokie moved to Middletown, Ohio where Smokie was employed by Aeronca. Wanda continued her education earning degrees in Elementary Education from Miami University and a master’s degree from Xavier University. From 1959 until 1979 she taught fourth grade at Wilson Elementary School. She also spent several years as a reading specialist for the Middletown district. She retired after in 1984 after serving 25 years as an educator.

In addition to a demanding career, she was deeply involved in her church and community. A member of First Baptist Church, she was a faithful servant for over 60 years. Throughout her tenure she taught many Sunday School classes for age groups of two to ninety-two. She was active with Vacation Bible School, Missions, and adult Bible classes. She sang with the choir for over 30 years and was employed as Director of Christian Education at First Baptist for five years. She served on the Board of Deacons, the Day Care Committee, and chaired the annual Christmas Breakfast and Christmas Bazaars. She was also active in the American Baptist Women’s Ministry and held offices at the local, regional, and state levels.

As a community volunteer, Wanda worked with Midfest for 20 years. She served as President of the Middletown Women’s Symphony Association and was honored with a Lifetime Membership on the Executive Board of the Middletown Symphony. She freely gave of her time and energy to other community concerns including the Balloon Festival, Books for Babies, the Tri Arts Council, Meals on wheels, and the Development Committee at Miami University. She was notably active in AAUW, and served as president of the Gamma Xi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, an honorary society for women educators of Butler County. After her retirement from the school system, she returned to Berea College to train for her second career as a Body Recall instructor. She then proceeded to instruct hundreds of Middletown seniors in how to maintain physical fitness as they aged. She reluctantly retired from offering classes at the age of 93. Additionally, in her “free time”, Wanda followed her interest in art by enrolling in a variety of visual art classes at the Middletown Community Arts Center. Over many years she produced an impressive portfolio of sketches and watercolors, often winning ribbons at the Butler County Fair. Today many of her works are proudly displayed in the homes of friends and family.

Wanda was preceded in death by Smokie, her husband of 74 years, her sisters Delores Saylor, Audrey Stallard, Patricia Cornett, and brother Bill Branham.

She is survived by her two children: Dr. Gerald Williams and Kathryn Williams Sloan, five grandchildren: Jesse Sloan, Jared Sloan (Heather), Jackson Williams (Denise), Claire Williams, Bailey Williams and four great grandchildren: Finley and Olive Sloan, and Wyatt and Nora Williams.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at First Baptist Church, 4500 Riverview Ave, Middletown, Ohio on Wednesday, June 12th at 11:00 am. Immediately following the service, we will gather in the fellowship hall for lunch and time together to share stories and memories. Donations in her memory will be welcomed by Hospice of Butler & Warren Counties, 5940 Long Meadow Drive, Franklin, OH 45005 or First Baptist Church of Middletown, 4500 Riverview Avenue, Middletown, OH 45042.