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TEACHER REMEMBERED FOR HER DEVOTION

By Nicole Brown/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Saturday, November 21, 2009 12:15 AM CST

WHITE HALL — A dedicated teacher, devoted wife and loving daughter is how those who knew and loved Valerie Mendenhall Williams say they will always remember her.

Valerie Williams

Williams died Nov. 14 at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was 42.

Born June 11, 1967, at Newport, she attended White Hall public schools. She received her bachelor of science and master of education degrees from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

With a teaching career that spanned more than 19 years, Williams taught at Anna T. Strong Elementary at Marianna, Altheimer Unified School District and the Pine Bluff School District.

Brenda Barnes, principal at Martin Elementary School at Altheimer, said she remembers Williams as a very good disciplinarian who was always first to take on a task.

“Mrs. Valerie Williams was one of those cornerstone teachers ... she was young but had a lot of insight on education because her mother taught at Wabbaseka for a period of time,” she said.

“She was the type of employee that any employer would love to have. One of her best features was that she followed leadership and I really admired her for that,” Barnes said.

“She was creative and her room was a little crowded, but it was colorful ... it was the type of classroom that all of the parents wanted their kids to be in. She could draw and build props for plays,” she recalled.

“She will be missed and we have missed her tremendously since she went to the Pine Bluff School District.”

A member of New Salem Missionary Baptist Church at Sherrill, Williams began her career with the Pine Bluff district in 2005 at Greenville Elementary School.

Becky Drake, secretary at Greenville Elementary, said when Williams first came to Greenville she was quiet and kept to herself.

“One day something fired her up and from then on she was one of us. She was in the middle of everything we did. And we just laughed at her because she went from being this very quiet person to this very loud person,” Drake recalled.

Drake said she remembers the day Williams got her letter to leave Greenville and go to 34th Avenue Elementary School.

“She was crying and the students were crying because nobody wanted her to go.”

“Even after going to 34th, she still came to our Christmas parties. If she found we were having something she came ... and came in like she belonged there and she did because she was one of us,” Drake said.

“The students were very upset when they heard that she died. She will be greatly missed by the faculty, staff and students,” she said.

Williams taught at 34th Avenue School for three years and it was there her friendship with Valerie Holmes began.

Holmes, also a teacher at 34th School, said Williams’ classroom was across the hallway from hers.

“I only knew her for a short period of time and in that short period of time I became very close to her. What we had was very unique ... not something that you could find every day. There was a very special bond there,” Holmes said.

“She was a shy person but when we got together you could not tell she was shy. Seems like we brought the shyness out of her,” she said.

Holmes said Williams had a very good rapport with her students and they loved her.

“She was truly loved by many. She was an excellent teacher and she will most definitely be missed. I will always have a special place in my heart for her. Her memories I will forever cherish,” she said.

According to a statement released by the family, “Williams shared a relationship with her sister, Jennifer D. Mendenhall, that was two-fold, sibling and best friend. She loved to travel and was an avid sports fan. She especially loved high school games and University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff football.”

“The entire Williams and Mendenhall families are grateful for the precious time God allowed us to share together,” the released stated.

Funeral services for Williams will be at 10 a.m. today at St. James United Methodist Church with the Rev. Clark E. Thomas officiating. Arrangements are by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff.

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