THE LIFE OF LYNETTE VIOLA SIMONS WILLIAMS - A STRONG WOMAN FROM TRELAWNY

 Those Early Days

Lynette Viola Simons Williams popularly referred to as Sister Lynette, was born on January 28, 1922, to Rosena and Emanuel Simons in of Burnt Ground, Hanover.  At 16 she became a devout Christian and she travelled around with her mother to sing at different churches. 

Lynette went to Trelawny at Lowe River in Trelawny when she was 19 years old. She eventually got married to Brissett Williams.

Miss Lynette mothered and raised many relatives and children in the community – training and caring for them and ensuring that they received a good education. She made sure that everyone who grew up under her wings took an active role in the life of the Church.  

CHURCH LIFE

In the1940s she became an ardent member of the Lowe River Presbyterian Church, now called Lowe River United Church of Jamaica and Grand Cayman, where she gave sterling service to the Church up until her nineties.  She served as Synod Delegate while she was a church member.  She served in various activities of the church such as teaching at Sunday School, being School Superintendent and President of the Women’s Fellowship. She served as an Elder, Manager of the Elders Board and Secretary of the Church Board. She also served on the Evangelism Committee and Caregiving Committee. Sister Lynette loved to sing and was the lead singer on the Church Choir from the start.  She was referred to as the “songbird”.  Her voice stood out majestically and she was able to sing any part whether it be soprano, alto, tenor or even bass.

CAREER

Mrs. Lynette Simons Williams was a self-taught seamstress and she made clothes for men, women, and children. Many persons went to her to develop their skills in making clothes.

 There was always a hub of activities whenever she was sewing for a wedding, holidays and back to school. Her children would assist with some of the hemming and sewing on of buttons.  She continued sewing up until the time of her short illness.  Miss Lynette enjoyed excellent eyesight up until the time of her death. She was highly creative in needlework, embroidery, crochet and art and craft.

Lynette Williams loved children and teaching. Her mantra was ‘All Children can Learn’. She was a dedicated teacher - one among the best.  For over 15 years she taught adults to read under the JAMAL programme (now the Jamaica Foundation for Life-Long Learning - JFLL) and she was incredibly happy and proud when her students made progress.

When she passed the age of forty, Miss Lynette started to study for the Jamaica School Certificate (JSC) examinations. She gained eight subjects and she started her teaching career as a pre-trained teacher at the Lowe River All Age School in 1974 in Trelawny.   She moved on to participate in the Ministry of Education I.S.T.E.T. (In-Service Training) programme where she studied for one year at the University of the West Indies and three years at the Mico College. She graduated with a Teacher’s Diploma.  She specialized in Special Education.. 

Upon her retirement in 1993, Miss Lynette started a basic school at her home. The school grew dramatically and had to be moved to a building which previously housed the Lowe River All Age School where she served as a Principal at the Lowe River Basic School until she retired a second time. 

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Miss Lynette was the person to build your clothes.  Her home was a buzz of activities prior to the opening of school. Many who could not afford the uniform would be given free uniforms. She also provided food and clothing to the less fortunate in the community.

In the past Lynette Williams played an active role in the community in areas such as Census Taking and population Enumeration. She also worked as a Presiding Officer in the Local and General Elections. 

Over the years she stood out as a beacon of light for many persons with varying problems who ran to her for rescue or counselling. She was a no-nonsense person, a disciplinarian and a woman who commanded great respect. She visited the sick and prayed for the sick and the shut-ins in. Miss Lynette encouraged young people to save, and she even assisted some of them to save.

Her final days were spent making COVID-19 masks to for the community. 

AWARDS

Over the years she received numerous awards from her Church for outstanding service to the ministry and the mission of Christ.  She received an award from the Jamaica Foundation for Life-Long Learning (JFLL) for fifteen years of dedicated service. In 2015 and she received the Parish Award from the Trelawny Municipal Corporation in the field of Education.   

Lynette Simons Williams a woman who has served the communities of Lowe River, Glastonbury, Red Lands, Litchfield, and other nearby areas. She died recently and has left 6 children, 22 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, 13 great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. She has left a legacy which her relatives and the people of Southern Trelawny can be proud of. The people should ensure that her legacy last a long time to come.

• Lynette Williams Funeral Service
• Lowe River United Church of Jamaica & Grand Cayman

Mrs. Lynette Williams