The Precious Gift of a Legacy

Other than the gift of life itself, I feel that every parent has an innate desire to pass along a legacy of some form. Whether that legacy is materialistic, philosophical, educational, or even spiritual. There is something redeeming that each parent desires that their children can take from them and hopefully pass on to their children one day.

My mother, Bettye (Chaney) Williams, was born to two amazing parents who were children of the Depression and both came from families who were sharecroppers who struggled just to make ends meet. Although they were both denied the opportunity to a good education, my grandparents both knew that they did not want their children to suffer the same fate. Therefore, they worked hard and made education a priority for my mother's eight other brothers and sisters. Even though my grandmother had only a 7th-grade education, she was by far the smartest person that I ever knew. She basically taught herself to read. She read the encyclopedia from A to Z, she read 3 versions of The Bible from Genesis to Revelation. She was what was known as a voracious reader. Anything in print she would read. And that was the legacy that she was able to pass on to her children.

My mother especially cherished that trait and became an amazing student in her own right. She was the first in her family to attend and go on to graduate college. Her example and academic success led several of her other siblings to do the same. Several went on to become doctors, business professionals, entrepreneurs, etc. For my mother, education became her passion. She began teaching in a small segregated school in Lauderdale County, MS. From there, she became the first African American female to teach science once the school system was integrated. She devoted herself to making sure students from all races had a solid understanding and hands-on experience in the sciences. Her teaching career spanned almost 40 years from junior high, and high school, to college. But her love for teaching was only second to her passion for studying and teaching God's Word. After retirement, she continued to teach and lead Sunday school and church conference retreats on The Bible. My mother served her community well in a variety of civic opportunities mainly targeting the youth in her city.

On October 2, 2024, my mother was called home into the loving arms of Jesus. As Matthew 25:23 states - "His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord." My mother proved to be just that, a good and faithful servant." I am so grateful for the legacy of learning and serving that she passed on to my sisters and me. My desire is that I can continue holding up the torch that our mother has allowed us to watch her carry for so long.

Although my career started off on a different route (in healthcare administration), I knew that my mother was really excited that I was able to land here at Restoration Academy nearly 25 years ago. This was largely due to the fact that RA was not only a school, but one that impacted students by providing them a solid Christian education as well. Since being here at RA, I have desired to continue sharing my mother’s legacy of learning with the students here at RA.

My family and I are thankful to those who have asked to contribute towards continuing my mother's "Legacy of Learning and Education" by making an honorary gift in my mother's name, Bettye J Williams, to Restoration Academy to continue providing students with educational opportunities for success. The funds raised will go towards scholarshiping students here at RA.

Please continue to join us in praying for our family and friends as we thank God for the life of my mother and celebrate her commitment to her faith and to educating youth. Thank you so much once again and God bless.