1929-2021
Ora Lean Williams Piper was born on August 27, 1929, to Emma Lee Huff Williams and Sam Williams in Hempstead, TX. She was the second of three children born to this union. When Ora Lean was a very young girl, the family relocated to Houston, TX and she began her formal education at Harper Elementary School. In 1947, Ora Lean graduated from Booker T. Washington High School, where she was a cheerleader and elected as Miss Booker T. Washington her senior year. Although her travels took her all over the world throughout her life, Ora Lean loved Houston and would remain settled there for all of her days.
Understanding the importance of education, Ora Lean knew that a college degree was necessary for her career goals. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Huston-Tillotson College in Austin, TX and Master of Education from Texas Southern University in Houston, TX. After graduation, Ora Lean dedicated her life’s work to educating and molding students within the Houston community that she loved so dearly. She spent her career with Houston Independent Public Schools from 1958 – 1984, where the majority of her time she worked at Turner Elementary, as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal.
Ora Lean committed her life to serving the Lord at a young age and her faith shaped who she was and how she lived her life. An active member of Brown Chapel A.M.E Church for the majority of her life, she was honored as a Living Legend in 2018. Throughout life's struggles, Ora Lean never lost sight of God's grace and protection.
In the spring of 1957, Ora Lean was initiated into the Kappa Beta Chapter of the illustrious Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at Huston-Tillotson College. Ora Lean was a life member with 64 years of service in the sorority and made innumerable contributions. Some of her proudest moments were when she served as a chapter president of Alpha Kappa Omega in Houston, and started the AKOmega All Care Committee--focusing on visiting sick and shut-in members, especially during the holiday season. In 1965, Ora Lean became one of three-chapter organizers to help charter the Houston chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction.
On the early morning of July 19, 2021, Ora Lean transitioned into the loving arms of the Lord. She was preceded in death by husband, Elwood Piper, and her two children Rev. Calvin Ralph Cline, IV, and Patricia Cline Malveaux-Keeling. She also joins her father Sam Williams, mother Emma Lee Williams James, stepfather Herman James, sister Catherine Evans, and brother Dr. Sam Williams, Jr. above the Veil.
She leaves a devoted daughter, Kathlean Diane Cline, to cherish her memory. Ora Lean is also survived by her grandchildren, Joseph A. Malveaux III, Chemberli Cline Smith (Paris), Cecily Cline Walton (Jonathan), Yaasmeen S. Spencer (Richard), and Gyasi Cline-Heard. She also leaves behind nine great-grandchildren along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date and in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in her name to her beloved Brown Chapel AME Church and the Alzeheimer’s Association.
The family wishes to extend a special thanks to the staff in the Medical ICU Unit at Houston Methodist Hospital for their kindness and care, especially nurse Janice Warren, nurse manager Kay Gloria and Chaplain Resident Martin Chang.
“God has her in His keeping, we have her in our hearts’
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