Obituary of Ada Gipson Williams

Obituary of Ada Gipson Williams Who can find a virtuous woman…for her worth is far above rubies (Proverbs 31:10) Ada Lee Gipson was born in Waxahachie, Texas on August 22, 1933 to Henry Lee and Lueada Gipson. She was the oldest of six children. She accepted Christ at an early age, and attended Golden Gate Missionary Baptist Church in Dallas. Ada Lee Gipson married her husband Clyde L. “Chuck” Williams. To their union, one son was born; Adrian D. Williams. Ada Lee Williams was educated in the Dallas Independent School District (Dallas ISD) and graduated from Lincoln High School. At Huston-Tillotson College (now University) in Austin, Texas she earned a degree in Music. Ada utilized her education to become a Dallas ISD elementary school teacher in Music, Science, and Math from 1955-1970. As an advocate of the value of education, she later received a Master of Arts degree in Education with a certification in Counseling from North Texas State University (now known as the University of North Texas). She later served as an elementary and secondary school Counselor from 1970-1975. Her leadership skills as an advocate for teachers led her to serve as President of the Classroom Teachers of Dallas (CTD) from 1975-1979. Given her success with CTD, the Dallas ISD proposed she come back to work for them and start a department within the District to support employees. She returned to Dallas ISD in 1979 to develop and lead the Employee Relations Department to advocate and support employee rights. Ada retired in 2002 as the Director of the Employee Relations Department after serving 44 years in the Dallas ISD. Ada successfully implemented numerous educational initiatives and business partnerships between Dallas ISD and the Credit Union of Texas (formerly Dallas Teachers Credit Union) during her leadership as Chairman of Board of Directors. As a result, on February 13, 2008, Dallas ISD Board of Trustees honored her by renovating and naming the District’s Central Auditorium at the Administration Building, the “Ada L. Williams Auditorium” As a member and leader of various organizations, boards and commissions, Ada realized the importance of learning and understanding parliamentary rules and law. Determined to become proficient, she studied intensely, joined the National Association of Parliamentarians (NAP) in 1975 and became a Professional Registered Parliamentarian (PRP) in 1978. This distinction afforded her the opportunity to serve as Parliamentarian for numerous organizations, including the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees (1988-2002), Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod of Lutheran Churches, Texas Credit Union’s League Annual Meetings, Delta Kappa Gamma Society, International, Dallas Retired Teachers Association and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (1977-2017). Recognized for her teaching skills and her knowledge of parliamentary rules and law, she was widely sought after to teach numerous workshops on Leadership and Parliamentary procedures nationally and internationally; and was one of a few Professional Registered Parliamentarians to be invited to Russia to teach Parliamentary Law. Ada worked tirelessly for both the National Association of Parliamentarians, Texas State Association of Parliamentarians, and numerous other national, state, and local organizations while encouraging others to follow in her footsteps to become Registered Parliamentarians. She was advisor to the lead charter member during the formation of the Sounding Block Unit of the NAP which was formally founded in 2009. Ada Lee Williams loved her church – St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal – and was often seen encouraging young people, and advising young mothers on child-rearing. She was a God-fearing Christian woman who taught Sunday School and served as a church Trustee. In 1978, she was bestowed the honor of Woman of the Year by the church. Ada Lee Williams loved her sorority – Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. A Golden Life Member, she demonstrated her commitment with 65 years of continual service. Ada was initiated in 1952 while attending college and served in several leadership roles. When she returned to Dallas after graduation, she joined the Dallas Alumnae Chapter and served as the 25th President from 1971-1973. Under her leadership, the following programs were initiated: a program for troubled youth and their families (providing home visits and assistance in securing basic needs); tutoring for students in selected schools; and the Delta One America project for female offenders who had been released from prison to a halfway house. She had the distinct honor of performing the eulogy of one of the sorority’s founders, Mrs. Frederica Chase Dodd; and in 1979, Ada was appointed to serve as Parliamentarian for the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. National Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana. Ada continued to serve as Parliamentarian for seventeen Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. National Conventions (and several national presidents) through the 100th Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Anniversary Convention in 2013. She also advised several sorority Regional Directors and Chapter presidents, serving faithfully as Parliamentarian since 1976. In recognition of her dedication and steadfast commitment, during the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. National Convention in 2015 in Houston, Texas, Ada was named “National Parliamentarian Emeritus”. Ada Lee Williams also loved the Credit Union of Texas. On any given day, you could find her taking care of Credit Union business, where she served as Chairman of the Board from 1996 until her homegoing. Governor Mark White appointed her to the Credit Union Commission as a Commissioner for six years and she served as Parliamentarian for the Texas Federal Credit Union’s Annual meetings. She was a member of the Credit Union Executive Society’s Board of Directors and received numerous awards from this Board as well as the Credit Union of Texas. In 2015, Ada was the honored with the Minority Business Leader Award from the Dallas Business Journal due to her outstanding leadership, milestone achievements and volunteer service as Chairman of the Credit Union of Texas for over 21 years. As Chairman, the Credit Union of Texas grew from two to twelve store locations; serves over 144,000 members in all 50 states and has over $1.3 Billion in assets. Ada L. Williams’ expertise and courteous, but honest advisement was sought out and valued by many. She was always professional, her dress impeccable, always resourceful, thoughtful, charitable, and respected. She was always a lady, and always Available and Devoted to Advise and offer assistance to anyone. She will be missed by her loving family, countless friends, former co-workers and Sorors. Ada Lee Williams was preceded in death by her parents; her college sweetheart, soulmate, and beloved husband of almost 60 years, Clyde “Chuck” L. Williams, and brother, Henry L. Gipson, Jr. She leaves to cherish her memories: a devoted son, Adrian Williams of Dallas, Texas; three granddaughters, Crystal, Aire’ale, and Amber all of Dallas, Texas; two brothers, George Gipson (Sylester) of Inglewood, California, and Alfred Gipson (Dalva) of Altadena, California; three sisters, Helen Jones of Ontario, California, Evelyn Walker (George) and Felecia Gipson-Lee (Robbie) both of Dallas, Texas; nephew and nieces Crystal Jones, Delaney Jones, Terrance Gipson, Jackie Gipson, Isaac Gipson, David Gipson of Los Angeles; Lisa Gipson, Benita Purnell, Deylan Walker, Jonathan Walker, Jennifer Walker, Rhyann Lee of Dallas, Texas, and a host of family and friends. Ada Lee Williams’ last days were spent surrounded by family, and doing what she was known for: living a purpose driven life, laughing often, loving unconditionally, and leading with compassion – Leaving a Lasting Legacy for countless generations.