Mrs. Elizabeth Williamson Martin slipped away into the peace that passes understanding on March 16, 2019 at the age of 101. She had been attended by her son, care givers, and concerned relatives during a period of declining health. Even when troubled and pained it was in the largesse of her inner beauty to tell her care givers that she loved them.

Mrs. Martin was born on December 25, 1917 in Caswell County, North Carolina to Nathaniel and Narcissus Williamson. She was preceded in death by her parents; by her husband, Carl Roosevelt Martin, Jr.; and by her brothers and sisters, Travis Williamson, Louis Williamson, Lillian Davis, Delores Williamson, Florence Adele Williamson and Merial Jones.

She is survived by a son, Carl Rodrique Martin of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; a nephew (raised as a brother), Curtis Williamson of Danville, Virginia; and a host of younger relatives.

Most of her formative years of early youth were spent growing up in the Bronx, New York. This was a much earlier time than most of us now know when the population of the Bronx was largely Jewish, when the milkman's truck was drawn by horse, and blocks of ice were delivered to the houses and apartments for refrigeration. Mrs. Martin remembered these days with fondness, especially a little Jewish girl who was her great friend.

The Williamson Family eventually moved back down South. It is in the upper grades at school in Caswell County that Mrs. Martin developed her talent for singing and enjoyed acting in plays. It was also here that the Principal finding her a talented and resolute student encouraged her and helped her acquire a scholarship to the Palmer Memorial Institute in Sedalia, N.C. Knowledge as well as all the finer points of manners were transmitted to Elizabeth at the famed and strict Palmer Institute. It was there at a dance where he was a guest that she also got a glimpse of her future husband, and a fellow student whispered in her ear, "I believe he'd like you."

Subsequent to her attendance at Palmer, Mrs. Martin attended Winston-Salem State University, then known as Teachers College. It was at "TC" that Mr. and Mrs. Martin met and fell in love and were later married before he left to participate in World War II. During the war years the couple lived at army bases in Anniston, Alabama as well as the Big Sur area of California though he was often called upon to be on foreign missions and she lived in Caswell County. It was during part of this time that she began her teaching career in a one room school house.

Mrs. Martin eventually acquired a Masters degree in Education from the University of Pennsylvania. During this time she lived with generous and wonderful relatives in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania. She returned to Winston-Salem, N.C. to resume her teaching career and taught for many years in the Gifted program at Diggs Elementary School. When integration came to the school system she was asked to teach at Moore Elementary School and agreed to do so. It was after a great many years that Mrs. Martin retired from the school system but continued even then to substitute teach as her joy at being with children had not subsided. She also had joy in attending Wentz Memorial Congregation United Church of Christ. She was a devout attendee and sang in the choir until she was no longer able to; such was her belief in Christ. She also taught Sunday School to the children for a great many years.

May she rest in the peace and generosity that she brought to others.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00noon Saturday, March 30, 2019 at Wentz Memorial United Church of Christ,3435 Carver School Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27105 with Rev. Renee Griffin officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family visitation will be held from 6:00pm until 7:00pm Friday, March 29, 2019 at the Russell Funeral Home Chapel.