Integrity, Stamina, Tenacity, Courage, Strength and Spirit-filled are all words that describe Ms. Juanita Williams. She was born in Warm Springs, Georgia on the third day of March in the year of the Lord 1950. She is the firstborn of seven children to the late Thelma Louise Pitts Williams and Joe Williams, Jr.

Ms. Williams' brilliant mind allowed her to develop an awesome journey in History and English. Ms. Williams enhanced the Civil Rights Movement by joining the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center as a Program Associate/Educational Consultant, working for the late Mrs. Coretta Scott King. She developed programs such as "Celebrating Excellence in Diversity K-12 Programs", and the "Teach It, Learn It and Live It Program" for the King Center. Ms. Williams also developed a Summer Teacher Intern Program on non-violence. Ms. Williams' position with the King Center provided her with the honor and privilege of being associated with the slain Civil Rights leaders' legacy. She also served as a member of the Tulsa City Human Rights Commission.
Ms. Williams' talent and drive led her to teach in the Tulsa Public School System. While teaching at Byrd Middle School, Ms. Williams was awarded Teacher of the Year by the Tulsa World Newspaper, May 20, 1984. She received "A Salute to Excellence Award" from KJRH (Tulsa), May 6, 1994, while teaching at Carver Middle School. She was also the Chairperson of the Oklahoma Textbook Committee playing a pivotal role in selection of quality educational materials for the system.

Ms Williams' career also led her to administration: Principal, for Cherokee Elementary School; Principal, for Lindsey Alternative School, and the Tulsa Public School Systems' Coordinator for Social Studies. Ms. Williams was also the Resource Specialist for the Social Studies Department for the Tulsa Public School System. She remained with the Tulsa Public Schools System for 32 years until her retirement in February, 2009. During this time, she had two years release time to work full-time with the King Center in Atlanta as a Program Associate where she worked as a Consultant for 22 years.

Ms. Williams fought a courageous fight against cancer, and passed away on Wednesday, December 23, 2009. She leaves this legacy of love and reconciliation to her six siblings, other family members and friends. Dr. Shiphrah A. Williams-Evans (Kenneth Evans), of Green Bay, Wisconsin, Dr. Joe L. Williams (Johnnie), of Plano, Texas, Mr. Harold Williams (Rita), of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Mr. Kenneth J. Williams (Kelly Michelle), of Newark, Delaware, Mr. Nathan E. Williams, Sr. (Elizabeth) of Memphis, Tennessee, and Dr. Cynthia Y. Williams Winthrop (Edward), of Mableton, Georgia; seven nieces: Dr. Joy S. L. Myers-Moses (Preston), Tynisha R. Williams, Dr. Patrice A. Williams, Esq. (Lee Carter), Shanel Murray, Tiffany Murray, Erin Williams-Rasmussen, and Kristen Williams; seven nephews: Harold D. Williams, Aaron Michael (Buddy) Myers, Mason Williams, Nathan Williams, Jr., Joseph Williams, Kenneth Williams and Seth Murray; five great nieces: Brianna Williams, Alexis Williams, Naiyana Williams, Aaryonna Williams, and Allayna Carter; six great nephews: TreVaugh H. Williams, Joshua T. Moses, Jonathan Moses, Joseph Rasmussen, Kaden Rasmussen, Roman Rasmussen; one maternal aunt: Agnes Scott of Oakland, California, and one paternal aunt: Lenora Williams, of Toledo, Ohio; one uncle: Clarence Williams, of West Palm Beach, Florida; special friends Mr. Leonard Isabelle of Tyler, Texas, and Mrs. Christine King Farris, sister of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. & godmother.

The family would like to give a special Thank you to Millie, RN with Evergreen Hospice for her warm and caring spirit, and Keith D. Biglow Funeral Directors, Inc. Visitation will be Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at Biglow Funeral Home 1414 Norfolk Avenue in Tulsa, from 10am to 7pm. Funeral Services will be at Greater Grace Church 1010 East 56th Street North, December 30, 2009 at 11am.