Mrs. Sandy (Bailey) Williamson (’77) completed a degree in Music Education from ETBC and is currently serving in ministry at an interim capacity alongside her husband, Carl Williamson (’76). They have served in pastoral ministry for the entire 48 years of marriage, while Sandy also spent 45 years in public education working with at-risk students as a teacher, counselor, principal, and, most recently, a district administrator of the Cleveland Independent School District. Since her retirement, God has called her to speak to women’s groups and conduct online Bible studies regularly.
Read on to hear more of Mrs. Williamson’s calling to the Hill, reflections of her time on campus, and the impact ETBU has had on her journey.
I knew from the age of twelve that God was calling me to be a pastor's wife. I also knew I needed a Christian education. In the spring of 1972, I came to ETBC Tiger Day to audition for a pipe organ scholarship. The music faculty was kind enough to grant me that scholarship, and from that day, I knew it was God's will for me to be there. In the fall of 1972, I moved into Merle Bruce Hall and began the greatest adventure of my life.
While many of the faculty were instrumental in my education, several come to mind immediately. Charlie Bob Hebert was my music theory professor during the first semester. He terrified all of us in the big basement classroom of Scarborough Hall, where he taught us how much we didn't know. Even today, I use the skills he taught me as I lead worship or work with choirs. In my Greek class, Dr. Billy Simmons opened my eyes to a larger view of the Bible. Dr. Franklin Atkinson instilled in me a love of Bible study that I carry with me even today, and I hope to pass on to my students when leading my own Bible studies. Many others, including Glenda Collins and Claire Rogers, were wonderful keyboard teachers because they always expected the best and demanded it from you. Finally, who could forget our president and first lady, Dr. and Mrs. Howard C. Bennett? They were such exemplary role models of gracious Southern leadership. One of my greatest honors while at ETBC was to be the first recipient of the Mary Lee Bennett scholarship.
It has been interesting to find how many of our ETBC colleagues we have come into contact with throughout our years in ministry. It always seems natural to pick up the friendship right where we left it. In 2011, we were blessed to go to Zambia, Africa, to teach a summer class in the Baptist seminary in Lusaka. Even in the middle of Africa, we ran into an ETBC alum, Dwayne Mitchell, who was there serving with his wife, Betty. As we age, I think our friends become more important to us, and in the last month, we spent time with Biff and Mary Leveron and Debbie and Terry McIver, all of whom graduated from ETBC. Debbie and Terry were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. what a joy to spend time together. My brother, Jimmy Bailey, joined us at ETBC in 1975, so it became a family affair. Between Carl, Jimmy, and me, we keep up with quite a few old friends from The Hill. We even had the pleasure of hosting an ETBC reunion weekend at our church several years ago.
When I reflect on my time on The Hill, I am reminded of so many things. I think of Vespers on Monday night, trips on Stagecoach road, and of course, Scottsville cemetery, where Carl and I had our first date. The countless revival teams going out on the weekends, BSU conferences, Work witness weeks during spring break, the beautiful music of Reflection, and puppet teams that weren't afraid to share Jesus. One of my favorite memories is after church on a Wednesday night in December, we gathered at Feagin Hall and went dorm to dorm decorating Christmas trees. We ended at Lineberry Hall, where the wonderful Mrs. Brack served us hot chocolate in the parlor, and we ended the night around the grand piano, singing Christmas carols.
My time on the hill prepared me for ministry. We were all given opportunities to serve in various capacities. We learned responsibility and perseverance. As I directed one of the Saturday morning missions, I gained knowledge in working with volunteers and developed my love for at-risk kids. As I served on the BSU Executive Council in the area of personal ministries, I found my love for counseling. In my music classes, I learned the skills necessary to direct choirs and accompany vocalists, which simply wouldn’t have been possible without the extensive knowledge I learned at ETBC. However, the greatest lesson I learned from my time at ETBC is the simple directive that “God has the right to use your life any way, anywhere, any time He chooses.” I am forever grateful for the lessons learned on The Hill, as well as the lifelong friendships I developed.