Olleen Williams

Ms. Olleen Williams, age 90, recently of Dahlonega, Ga. died December 19, 2010 at Gold City Convalescent Center in Dahlonega.

Ms. Williams was born in East Liverpool, Ohio to the late Samuel and Ollun Williams. She was preceded in death by a brother; Martin Williams. She was raised in Alabama and lived most of her life in Atlanta, Ga.

Olleen was educated in the Birmingham public schools, attended the University of Georgia where she received a B.F.A. & M.F.A. degree. She did graduate work at UGA, University of Alabama, and Temple University in Philadelphia and the Art Student League in NYC. During World War II she worked for RCA in Camden, N.J. doing technical drawings. Ms. Williams began her career at Murray State University, Murray, Ky. After leaving Murray she taught art in several Atlanta Schools before becoming the first art education consultant for the Georgia Department of Education. Ms. Williams taught for The University of the Seven Seas and circumnavigated the world twice. She was at Kennesaw State University when she retired.

Mrs. Williams was mentored by Georgia artist and educator Dr. Lamar Dodd who she studied with at UGA. She won many state and regional art awards during High School and College. In 1953 she was invited to exhibit at the Grand Central Moderns in NYC at a special guest exhibition and published in the General Director's Letter of the America Association of University's Women. Her sculpture "I Am" is part of the permanent collection of the Georgia Museum of Art.

She is survived by her siblings; Noel Williams (Virginia), Attalla, Alabama. Naomi Lewis (Bill) Talladega, Alabama. Ellen Wheat (Virgil) Fayetteville, Alabama. Zoe Putnam, Dawsonville, Georgia. 16 nieces and nephews also survive.

A private family Memorial will be held in Alabama.

Banister Funeral Home of Dahlonega is in charge of arrangements.