She was born to Maud Littlejohn Williams and Fontaine Thomas Williams in Jonesville, South Carolina in 1922. Nell Williams Overton was proud of her South Carolina roots, and North Carolina connections, and dedicated to her church, her profession, her college and her family. She loved children and books, and served the cause of both throughout her life.
Mrs. Overton was valedictorian of her Jonesville High School class, and graduated from Columbia College in 1943, receiving their Distinguished Service Award, the Columbia College Medallion and she was a member of the College’s James Milton Ariail Society.
She was married to the late Bernard MacRae Overton for 36 years, and was a long time resident of Charlotte, N.C. Mrs. Overton was a long time member of Westminster Presbyterian Church; she and her husband organized the church library in 1956 and in 1992 it was rededicated and named the Overton Library. She served as church librarian until June 2008. In addition, Mrs. Overton was an active member of the Presbyterian Women, Circle 6; a Circle leader; a church historian and was presented a life membership in the Presbyterian Women.
On a visit to the Columbia College Edens Library, Mrs. Overton saw a need to expand and update the media center to include new instructional resources and modern audiovisual equipment. With her generous support, the Overton Media Center was established with the purchase of 24 computers for an electronic classroom and the Help Desk communication center. In addition, she launched a children’s literature collection in the library, creating the Children’s Reading Center. She was also co-chair of the Friends of the Library, which has supported recent interior renovations for the facility.
After teaching in the high schools of South Carolina, she went to UNC-Chapel Hill to the School of Library Science. She was a librarian-media specialist for many years in Charlotte City Schools; a member of the National Education Association and a life-member of the North Carolina Association of Educators. Mrs. Overton was also active in the Kappa Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma honor society of educators; the North Carolina Library Association; and was a member of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Retired Educators.
An active member of the Sedgefield Garden Club for over 40 years, she was awarded a life membership in the Garden Club of North Carolina. She was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Jane Parks McDowell Chapter and Battle of Charlotte Chapter. Mrs. Overton also was keenly interested in and supported the Crossnore School, a private, non-profit children's home and school in the western North Carolina Mountains as well as the Charlotte Rescue Mission.
She was preceded in death by her brothers Milam F. Williams, Everett W. Williams, Horace B. Williams, and John N. Williams and is survived by her brother, Thomas F. Williams; nieces Susan Williams Horvath, Jane Williams Edwards, Judy Williams Krongold, Barbara Williams Smith and Diane Williams Maxson; and nephews, Durbin B. Williams and Milam F. Williams, Jr.
The funeral service will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 101 Colville Avenue, Charlotte, North Carolina at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 7, 2010. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. at the church. Private interment will follow the service at Sharon Memorial Park, Charlotte.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to: The Overton Media Center, Columbia College, Columbia, SC; Crossnore School, Crossnore, NC; Westminster Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, NC; Charlotte Rescue Mission, Charlotte, NC.
Harry and Bryant Company of Charlotte is serving the family of Mrs. Overton.
This country needs more of Nell Williams Overton's and I would guarantee you we would not be behind any country in education.
Kent Lipsey