Rhoda Mott Williams

Rhoda Mott Williams was born April 16, 1927 in Medford. She died February 3, 2008 at her home in Ashland. Rhoda was the third of five children born to Thomas V. land Eleanor Rankin Williams of Phoenix. She began school in Phoenix where the family owned an orchard. She was baptized at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Medford on November 1, 1927. She graduated in 1945 from Medford High School, and went on to obtain a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the Universtiy of Oregon. She worked in various positions at: Southern Oregon Universtiy, Oregon State University, Willamette Universtiy, the State Accident Insurance Commission, and with Copco Division of Pacific Power and Light. A true "home-town kid" she never lived farther away from Medford than Corvallis. Rhoda's interests included hiking and exploring the State of Jefferson, learning more about Native American inhabitants of the area, and natural resource conservation. She was a long-time supporter of St. Joseph's Indian School, the Southern Poverty Law Center, the NaturalResources Defense Council, The American Civil Liberties Union, and Amnesty International. She was very proud of her service as a volunteer for Meal on Wheels, and for CERVS-Crisis Intervention Service. Rhoda is survivied by her brother Christopher P.S. Williams (Priscilla) of Portland, and her sister Charity Small (Robert) of Kirkland, Washington, as well as one niece and five nephews. She was preceded in death by her partents, a sister Phyllis and a brother David S. Williams who was shot down in Germany during WWII. A private service for Rhoda will be planned later on in the spring when the roses are in bloom and her family is able to travel. Donations in her name would be welcome at any of her favorite charities.