Nona Ellis Williamson

Nona Ellis Williamson of Avondale Estates, an early organic farming advocate who inspired her sisters to follow her path as chiropractor when it was rare for a woman, died Sunday, January 15, 2006 at the age of 96.  Born in Leicester, England, on August 24, 1909, and raised in South Africa, Mrs. Williamson convinced her father, a prominent Durban, South Africa, dermatologist, to allow her to go to Oklahoma City, OK, to study chiropractic under Dr. Willard Carver, a pioneer in nutrition as an aid to health.  There she sat next to a tall, slender, tow-headed Georgian named Ralph Williamson. They sat next to each other for the rest of their classes, graduated together, and married on April 29, 1938.  After practicing chiropractic for several years in Cleveland, TN, the Williamsons moved to Avondale on Rockbridge Road. Mrs. Williamson, who in recent years had suffered from multiple myeloma, had stabilized in that disease, but succumbed to complications of pneumonia. She died in the home where she had lived for 57 years.  Mrs. Williamson retired from chiropractic to raise her three children, but her example inspired her sister, Verena, to follow her to the US, and her sister-in-law, Mary, to leave the family farm in west Georgia, to graduate from Carver Chiropractic College and  practice their professions in South Africa and Oklahoma City, respectively. Her husband, Dr. T. Ralph Williamson, started a chiropractic office on North McDonough Street, near the square in Decatur. He saw patients up to two weeks before his death in 2001, and at 87 was the oldest practicing chiropractor in Georgia.  As a homemaker, Mrs. Williamson applied her passions, farming and healthy living, and raised chickens and vegetables so that the family ate from her garden year-round. She ground her own wheat from grain to make bread for the needs of her family, including her grandchildren. She was a member of an organization that promoted organic farming, often helping Atlanta area people wanting to grow their own food.  In 1954, she traveled with her three children, aged 4 to 10, to England and South Africa and back, going by train, prop airplane, and ocean liner. The trip took five months.  A constant presence in the lives of her two grandchildren, Mrs. Williamson also kept in touch with a sister, nephews, and nieces on four continents. She lived to see her grandchildren?s children, and delighted in visiting with them and hearing stories of their activities.       Mrs. Williamson is survived by one sister, Verena Hardman of Pinetown, South Africa; a brother-in-law, Hulett Williamson of LaGrange, GA; sister-in-law Dr. Mary Cozart of Oklahoma City; her children: Robert Williamson, Richard Williamson and daughter-in-law Estelle Ford-Williamson, all of Avondale; and daughter Margarette Williamson Robinson of Roswell, GA; grandson Todd Williamson and wife Patty, of Buford, GA; granddaughter Tracy Gilbert and husband Derek, of Beaufort, SC; and six great-grandchildren. Also surviving are six nieces and nephews, residing from Australia to Europe, and numerous nieces and nephews of Ralph?s that she claimed as her own. The body will be cremated and a memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 28 at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of A. S. Turner & Sons. The family will receive friends from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Friday and 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 pm. Saturday at A. S. Turner & Sons.   In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Nature Conservancy of Georgia, or a local Humane Society/Animal Shelter of your choice. A. S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.