November 16

Rev. Hosea Lorenzo Williams

Minister, civil rights leader and politician, Rev. Hosea Lorenzo Williams died on November 16, 2000.

Rev. Williams worked closely with Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Williams was a part of Rev. King's inner circle of confidants and lieutenants in the battle for racial justice.  He worked as an organizer for their non-violent protests which often stirred the hearts of America and shocked people around the world with the blatant racism and violence that was often perpetrated against African Americans involved in the protests.  Williams was with Rev. King when he was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee and was later elected Executive Director of the SCLC.  He became involved in politics and in 1974 was elected to the Georgia State Assembly. Williams founded "Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless" which worked as a major vehicle to feed the homeless on holidays in Atlanta.  Williams was born on January 5, 1926 in Attapulgus, Georgia.