Palestine High School Alumni Association

01 / 24 / 1947  –  09 / 25 / 1962

Kathryn (Kay) Ann Williams, 15, a sophomore at Palestine High School, died in Memorial Hospital at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday from injuries received in a two-car collision at the intersection of Kolstad and Esplanade streets about noon.

Seriously injured in the accident was a classmate, Cheryl Lynn Wall, 15, of 90 Cottage Avenue.

The girls were pasengers in a car driven by Mrs. H. H. Willliams, Kay’s mother. She received emergency treatment at Memorial Hospital, but was not admitted.

The other car involved was driven by Mrs. Wences Rodriquez. She was not hospitalized, but was placed under sedation at her home.

Police said Mrs. Williams had picked the two girls up at school and was taking them home for lunch when the tragedy occurred. The girls were riding in the back seat of the car and both of them were thrown out of the vehicle.

Officers said Mrs. Williams was driving west on Kolstad Street and Mrs. Rodriquez was traveling north on Esplanade at the time of the accident. The two cars were demolished.

Miss Williams’ death marked the second traffic fatality to occur in the Palestine city limits this year.

Funeral services are to be held at 4 p.m. today in the Calvary Baptist Church with the Rev. Otis Felton officiating. Burial will follow in the Judson Cemetery near Cayuga.

Pallbearers will be Mike McQueen, Sammy Raines, Raymond Henderson, Jr., Johnnie Johnston, Freddie Richrdson and Jimmie Callaway. Members of the Palestine Police Department and the student body of Palestine High School have been named as honorary pallbearers.

Miss Williams was born in Palestine on January 24, 1947. She was a sophomore at Palestine High School and a member of the Student Council.

She is survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hunter Williams, 880 West Carolina Street; a sister, Wanda Gayle Williams of Palestine and her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. T. E. Henry of Bethel.

Source: Palestine Herald-Press 09-26-1962

The Sophomore section of the Arc Light is dedicated to the memory of one who was truly an inspiration to all with whom she came in contact in life. Although she was cut short from livIng a fuil life, we believe that her smile, her sincerity of purpose, her winning ways have helped many of us in the living of a richer and fuller life. And thus we dedicate the Sophomore section of the 1962-1963 Arc Light to Kay Williams, our classmate.

Source: PHS 1963 Arc Light