Ruthmary Williamson
June 9, 1927 - January 26, 2016

Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home 943 Highway 425 North Monticello, AR 71655 Map & Directions Celebration of Life Service Black Mountain Presbyterian Church 117 Montreat Road Black Mountain ,  NC 28711 2/13/2016  Map & Directions

Ruthmary Williamson, age 88, died at her home under hospice care in Black Mountain, NC, on January 26, 2016.
Ruthmary was born to Frank Walker Bliss and Ruth Telleen Bliss in Minneapolis, MN on June 9, 1927, joining her older brother Frank. During her early years, her family moved to a farm in Athens, GA. Her teenage years were spent in Florida, where she graduated from high school, then college (FSCW, now FSU) with a BA in English and a minor in Home Economics.
Ruthmary was married to Lamar Williamson, Jr. on September 1, 1949, beginning their family with the birth of their eldest son in 1950. Ruthmary’s life as a minister’s wife began in West Virginia and continued in Kentucky with two more children arriving 1952 and 1955. In 1956, she became a missionary’s wife, as Lamar and she were called to the Belgian Congo, returning in 1960 to furlough for two years in New Haven, Connecticut. The family spent three more years in the Democratic Republic of Congo from 1962 to 1965. While Lamar remained in Congo an additional year, Ruthmary returned to Hickory, NC to look after her mother and begin her children’s Stateside schooling. They were reunited in Richmond, VA, where Ruthmary continued as a professor’s wife. In 1970, they welcomed their fourth child, returning to what was then Zaire for two years in 1972. From 1974 onwards they remained in the United States, for the most part, living first in Richmond then retiring to Montreat, North Carolina, and finally moving to Black Mountain, NC.
As her children grew, Ruthmary continued her loving ways by caring for both her own mother and her mother-in-law, welcoming them into the family home during their final years. No matter the country or state, she created a strong sense of home for her family and all those who knew her. Ruthmary’s distinguished career as Home Maker was one from which she never retired.
Ruthmary was known for her tireless attendance to the needs of her family, as well as for hosting student groups, teaching Sunday School, participating in Women’s Circle groups, hosting missionaries or international students passing through, and always, always volunteering her time, energy and love through a variety of community services. She was famous for her waffles, coffee cake, granola, pecan pie, impeccable ironing, availability, listening ear, maintaining confidentiality, reciting poetry, comforting presence and clear advice - with the occasional strong opinion thrown in!
Ruthmary was a beautiful Child of God, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. She was honest, kind, generous, and beautiful inside and out. She will always be loved. She will be carried in the hearts of many here on earth as she now enters her True Home prepared for her by her Father in Heaven.
Ruthmary is survived by her husband Lamar; her children, Fred, Martha, and Allen Williamson and Ruth Simmons; her grandchildren Nathan, Ryan, Rachel, Tim, Ben, Hannah, Will, Sam, Bonnie, Charlie and Michael; and great grandchildren Tucker, Elliot, Emma, and Kaia.
A celebration of life will be held at Black Mountain Presbyterian Church on Saturday, February 13th, 2016 at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Black Mountain Home for Children or the charity of your choice. Arrangements in Monticello will be at a later date.