“As her sister, I can’t be angry – and she wouldn’t want me hurting – because she lived her life,” Robyn K. Williams said. “Which one of us today could go right now and be pleased? How many of us have this unfinished bucket list that we’ve been talking about for the past 10 years? She did it – effortlessly and open-handed.”
The shock, blindsiding disbelief and stunning sadness that accompany a life cut tragically short lingered in the days following the passing of attorney and civic leader Ronda Fay Williams.
She died suddenly on Wednesday, April 24 at the age of 41.
But family, friends, loved ones, co-workers and the community couldn’t help but take comfort in all that she had accomplished in such a short time.
“When I think of Ronda and I listen to all of the praise and all of the accolades and read her resume, I asked myself, ‘What didn’t Ronda do?’” said Pastor William Meanes, of New Freedom Baptist Church, in the eulogy Monday morning at Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church.
In 2012 she was recognized as an Outstanding African American Citizen by the St. Louis Gateway Classic Foundation and as one of the St. Louis American Foundation’s Young Leaders. In 2011, she received the Most Interesting Personality Award from Who’s Who in Black St. Louis, the YWCA of Metro St. Louis Leader of Distinction Award and was named one of the Nation’s Best Advocates: 40 Lawyers Under 40 by the National Bar Association. In 2010, she was among St. Louis Business Journal’s 40 Under 40, and won the Missouri Lawyer’s Weekly Women’s Justice Award.
“She was busy,” said attorney Shalona Oliver, who spoke on behalf of County Executive Charlie A. Dooley.
Oliver had to stop and take a breath as she read an abbreviated list of accomplishments that mainly reflected Ronda’s tenure as senior corporate counsel at Savvis Inc., which began in 2007. She earned the company’s highest merit award, the Savvis Ace Award, for a commitment to excellence in 2008.
“Our city has lost a valued citizen,” U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill said in a letter.
The sermon Pastor Meanes chose to honor Ronda’s life was aptly titled “you can’t touch this.”
“Because of her life, I would suggest to you that Ronda could not be touched or compared with. She was the best of our rising community and young generation,” Meanes said. “I submit to you that God is pleased with Ronda.”
Raising the bar
“There is now a hush in our hearts as we come together to pay our respects to the memory of one whose life was rich with the fullness of servitude within the community,” said Treasurer Tishaura O. Jones, a lifelong friend of Ronda, speaking on behalf of their alma mater, Hampton University.
Ronda graduated from Hazelwood East High School, earned a B.S. in marketing at Hampton and then worked for several years in corporate America before entering Saint Louis University’s School of Law in 1999. Only two years after she graduated, Ronda became an adjunct professor of law and business at SLU.
She served as president of SLU’s Black Student Law Association. Ronda also became heavily involved in the National Bar Association – holding national office and assuming a leadership role with the local chapter, the Mound City Bar Association.
“She’s been a joy to us, not only here in Missouri, but throughout the nation,” said John Page, president of the National Bar Association, as he spoke directly to her family. “We thank you for giving her to us. Ronda – to many of us – was our right and our left hand.”
During her time as president of the Mound City Bar Association, the chapter was awarded Affiliate of the Year by the National Bar Association.
Ronda was also a member of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis and St. Louis chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel and she served on numerous boards and networks for area arts and social service organizations.
“She was to be installed as our treasurer this coming Wednesday, so we will honor her at our upcoming Law Day celebration,” said Heather Hayes, president of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis.
“She had wonderful ideas, insight and everything she contributed has been greatly appreciated. I know I will truly miss seeing her smile at all of our meetings. She could lighten up any day as long as she was there.”
The woman behind the work
It was her smile that people seemed to remember most.
The circle of influence she smiled upon couldn’t have been any wider – including high school and college students, a hip-hop radio personality, hairstylists, salon owners, high-powered attorneys, corporate executives and elected officials.
“Ronda knew the importance of spending time with a person and creating a memory with them,” Robyn said. “People came to her services from different circles, different walks of life, different periods in time, and yet they all felt connected with her and had spoken with her recently.”
Many of her friends and associates gathered Monday night for a gathering to raise funds for her memorial scholarship. By the end of the evening more than $1,200 had been collected.
“Not only was she a senior leader in a major corporation, but she was very active in supporting the ideals and issues in which she personally believed,” said Ronda’s fellow Young Leader Amber Simpson, vice president and manager of national multicultural markets and community affairs for U.S. Bank.
This was proven true when she worked tirelessly to campaign for President Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012 as a key member of Generation 44.
“Poised and professional, Ronda reflects what a stellar young professional strives to become,” said Kira Van Niel of Boeing, another of the St. Louis American Foundation’s cadre of Young Leaders. “Her sudden passing, while tragic and unexpected, is a true reminder to chase your dreams and strive for the best.”
Ronda is survived by her father Roger C. Williams, stepmother Beverly Williams and sister Robyn K. Williams.
To make a donation to the Ronda F. Williams Scholarship Fund, contributions can be mailed to The Ronda F. Williams Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1543, St. Louis MO, 63188.
For Gloria Ross’ official family obituary, visit www.stlamerican.com
