Shirley Williams

By Ruby Miller
Special to Midtown & Downtown Appeal
April 10, 2005

Everyone has a story -- when I was quite a young girl begging my mother to tell me stories, she would often say, "We all have stories."

At my first encounter with Shirley Williams, I observed her walking a bit hesitantly and with a cane. Listening while she spoke with other members of the Lewis Center, it was apparent that Shirley also has a speech problem. Her voice is soft and somewhat restricted; I had to listen closely to understand. As she greeted almost everybody I learned she was in the process of collecting recipes for a cookbook she wanted to publish. While pondering what may have brought her to the center, I wondered further just what was her story.

Later on we would strike up conversations, most times as I was coming from guitar, piano or arts/crafts classes, and Shirley would often be waiting for her trip home on the Lewis Center's van. She would describe her computer courses at the center and encouraged me to enroll.

Now Shirley and I have had several computer classes together, presently we are enrolled in Computer Challenge Class. I am currently working on an assignment to interview and write an article about a Lewis Center member. I did not have to look far to find my subject.

Knowing my quest of seeking out a senior citizen program, I was eager to learn Shirley's story. Never thinking it would be anything other than perhaps a storyline involving physical challenges, loneliness or maybe even boredom, to my amazement, she tenderly told of her coming to the Lewis Center in response to an invitation from a member (her brother, Bill Davis) who has macular degeneration, which limits his vision. Shirley decided to come and perhaps be of assistance by helping write his notes for him. Since then, Shirley has enrolled in every offered computer class and has certificates of attendance to show for her efforts. Together, we are preparing to do Computer Challenge Three; there are 12 challenges in all to be completed.

Many lunches and several classes together later, Shirley began to tell me about herself. It was then that I most remembered what my Momma had told me all those years ago, "Everyone has a story to tell."

Shirley's employment was with the Montesi store on Madison Avenue for 13 and a half years, where she worked in the bakery and later as a grocery checker. In 1983 Shirley found herself locked out of the store without notification or health insurance.

Describing her injuries, Shirley tells of a tragic traffic accident where her husband died at the wheel of their moving auto. She received multiple injuries and wounds when she was unable to control the moving vehicle, which was stopped by a telephone pole. Though Shirley escaped with her life, her injuries were many, some were life-threatening. Both hips, legs and her right arm were broken; she had to have a tracheotomy after her voice box and vocal cords were removed. During the days of her inability to walk, she sustained a "dropped foot," which continues to slightly impair her gait. She expresses appreciation for the professional health care received after being hospitalized for over two months at the Regional Medical Center at Memphis's Trauma Hospital. After a year of physical therapy, Shirley began to walk again and now comes to the Lewis Center almost daily. Other accomplishments include winning two yellow ribbons at the Senior Olympics for fourth place in singles and doubles shuffleboard, which qualified her to go to shuffleboard finals in Clarkesville, Tenn.

In addition to attending computer classes, Shirley Williams enjoys cooking, crocheting, needlepointing and is an active center bingo player, which she "just loves."

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