Jesse Richard Williamson

From the hills of Pulaski, Tennessee, to the halls of higher education, emerged Jesse Richard Williamson, D.D.S. He was born into a loving and supportive family on August 17, 1926, which consisted of his parents, Robert and Wessie, and two brothers, Leonard and Robert Lee. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on June 1, 2018. Jesse left Pulaski, after high school, to serve his country in the United States Navy, serving as a Stewards Mate 1st Class in the Asian Pacific area. After completing his tour, he received and Honorable Discharge and immediately enrolled in Tennessee State College (now University) under the G.I. Bill, completing his degree requirements in just three years. It was there, he met the love of his life, his “Brown Paper Bag Princess” and future wife, fellow student, Betsy Ann Summers of Kingsport, Tennessee. While an undergrad, during the regular school year, he worked as a waiter, on the weekends, at the local Elks Club. During the summer months, he worked as a porter, waiter/cook on the Chicago to Los Angeles route of the Santa Fe Railroad. In December of 1955, Jesse and Betsy were married. In addition, he pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. Upon graduation, and while awaiting acceptance to Meharry Dental School in Nashville, Tennessee, Jesse taught high school science for one year in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. In May of 1956, Jesse graduated from Meharry. After dental school he took an internship with the Delaware State Board of Health in 1956, which landed him, and eventually the family, in Dover, where he primarily worked in the “colored schools” of Kent County. In spite of the fact that Jesse had already been certified in other states, local “political realities” made it extremely difficult for him to be licensed in Delaware. It was only after a group of prominent “colored” citizens intervened with then Governor Caleb Boggs, in 1960, that Dr. Williamson was able to secure his license and began his private practice. He retired in 2005, turning the practice over to his son, Dr. Richard Williamson. Dr. Jesse Williamson was active in the community as evidenced by his support during the Civil Rights struggle. He served as a church steward for 35 years at Mt. Zion A.M.E., was a member of the Board of Trustees at Delaware State University for 18 years and a board member of the YMCA. He was a charter member of the Zeta Rho Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., a member of The Frontiers and a member of the Wilmington chapter of The Boule. He was a Life Member of the NAACP. He also held membership in local, state and national dental societies. Dr. Williamson, loved to travel nationally and internationally. He was also hopelessly devoted to his family and the dental profession, which became his passion and life’s work. His survivors include his wife of 62 years, Betsy; sons, Richard and Robert; daughter, Jessica Renee; granddaughters, Sheridan, Chanel and Raya Williamson and Mekalah Jones; a cousin, Dr. Conrad Douglas of Nashville, TN; and extended family members from Tennessee, Texas and Delaware. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jesse Richard Williamson, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Jesse Richard Williamson

August 17, 1926 - June 1, 2018