Loretta Janice Williams

Loretta Janice Williams was born November 1, 1937 in Boston, Massachusetts to Leon Gerryfield and Ira Graves Lomax. After graduating from Girls Latin High School, she married Theos D. McKinney, Jr. They had three sons, Theos Dickson McKinney III, Kenelm Lee McKinney, and Kyle Micah McKinney. After experiencing divorce and widowhood, Loretta decided to resume her college studies. Loretta received a bachelor's degree and pursued a Ph.D. in sociology. Inspired by her father, the title of her dissertation was Black Freemasonry and Middle Class Realities.

In 1974, Loretta accepted a position at the University of Missouri, Columbia. As a sociologist and author, Dr. Williams combined scholarship with activism. She served as the Founding Chair of the U.S. National Interreligious Commission on Civil Rights; Co-Chair of the Racial Justice Working Group convened by the U.S. National Council of Churches; chair of the Mozambique Support Network USA; and was long active in diverse interreligious, interfaith and secular communities. She taught at the State University of New York at Buffalo, the University of Missouri, the Women's Theological Center in Boston, and Boston University. The former chair of the board of Political Research Associates, Inc., Loretta served over the years on other boards, mentored many advocates and activists, and worked collaboratively on numerous campaigns for justice.

From 1980 to 1989, Dr. Williams was director of the Section on Social Responsiblity of the Unitarian Universalist Association. She later served as Director of the Gustavus Myers Center for the Study of Bigotry and Human Rights. The Center, best known for its annual Myers Outstanding Book Awards, highlighted multicultural organizational development with particular attention to anti-oppression strategies. Dr. Williams also served as president of Racial Justice Connection, a national anti-racism consulting organization. In 2011, she was honored by Community Change, Inc. for her efforts to create a better world of justice for all.

Loretta loved to read. Her library was extensive and impressive. She also loved to play scrabble, and rarely lost. Scrabble games with Loretta played a significant role in her sons' academic successes. As her grandchildren grew, Loretta challenged them to play scrabble as well. In later years, she played challengers from around the world on line.

She was predeceased by her sister Patricia Ann Janey and her son Kyle Micah McKinney. She is survived by her sister Barbara Joan Dawson; sons Theos D. and Kenelm L. McKinney; daughters-in-law Michelle, Sylvia and Gweneth; grandchildren Nicole, Miriam, Aubrey, Maxwell, Leif, Lir, Llew and Dillon; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. All were inspired by her passion for justice and her love of learning.

When Loretta learned that she had cancer she was a single mother with three sons in high school. She fought back with the strength of her will and the power of her love. She lived with cancer for 40 years. Loretta is now free from the pain of that long fight. Theos and Kenelm made sure that her transition took place at home according to her wishes. Her favorite jazz music was playing as she embraced eternity. Loretta would want family and friends to take inspiration from her signature line, "In the struggle is the hope."

A memorial service for Loretta Janice Williams will be held at the African Meeting House in Boston at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 12, 2015. In memory of Loretta's respect for history and love of justice, donations to the MAAH/African Meeting House are encouraged.