Laurene Williamson

Laurene Hurst Williamson (1919__-2018)

Laurene Hurst Williamson lived every day with a positive outlook, a warm disposition and a strong faith until her death on April 10th in Hendersonville, NC.

 She was born on July 7, 1919, in the small mill town of Wisner, MS, to Eugenia Massey and W.D. Hurst.  Although Wisner no longer exists as a town, it was home to Laurene and her three brothers until they moved to Cohay, MS, where she began school in the third grade.

A graduate of Bellhaven College, she was married to Dr.  Walter Ellis Williamson for 63 years before his death in 2004.  Laurene was an artist and a musician who enjoyed playing piano at church and for her friends.  She also enjoyed drawing, writing, and cooking for her family.

Ellis and Laurene served Methodist churches in, Georgia, Mississippi, Wisconsin, and in Seminole,  and Ft. Lauderdale before settling in Lakeland, and later Jacksonville, Florida. Laurene taught high school English to hundreds of students over many years, and she is still remembered fondly by many of her children’s contemporaries who were in her sophomore English class at Lakeland High School.       

 She and Ellis retired to Blowing Rock, NC in 1981, where they shared their interests in painting and drawing, and many of their pieces were on display at various galleries in Blowing Rock.  They left Blowing Rock to live  in Mobile, Alabama, but returned to Blowing Rock for another chapter of their beloved mountain living.                                                                                                                                      

The Williamsons followed their daughter Melody to Eastern North Carolina, where they were residents of the Fountains at The Albemarle in Tarboro for 17 years. They were active members of the retirement community, and Laurene served in many leadership roles for the residents.  But, her favorite role was pianist.  At the   Albemarle, she found time for her love of music and she brought joy into many lives with her talent.  Laurene was a gifted pianist who played by ear and brought the Albemarle community together in song.  She was loved for her singalongs and evening concerts that were anticipated and attended by the residents. She also shared her gift with members of St James United Methodist Church .

As her health declined, she moved to Hendersonville NC to be near her oldest daughter, Sandra Williamson Almy.  She is preceded in death by her husband, Walter Ellis Williamson and her son, Christopher Ellis Williamson. She is survived by Sandra and Tim Almy, Melody Dearmon of Chattanooga TN, and Mark and Sally Williamson of Atlanta, GA., as well as many loving grandchildren and  great grandchildren.

Her family will remember her life on Saturday, April 14, with a graveside service in Tarboro, NC. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Tarboro Community Outreach, 701 Cedar Lane, Tarboro, NC 27886 in honor of Laurene. 

 Service Information