Just as a stained glass window takes to the refraction of the sun’s light, Leerene Williams, 91, of West Point, encompasses the word “paradox” almost seamlessly.
She is strong yet gentle, spunky yet professional, feisty yet kind and respectful. She loves to cook a good wholesome meal, but never passes up a chance to devour good, greasy fried chicken. She has a great sense of humor but is the first to take any situation seriously. She is the easiest person to talk to but will give you the cold harsh truth.
“She has a little bit of sass to her; she is not afraid to tell it how it is but is very respectful with how she says it,” said Allison Arthur, executive director of Dugan Memorial Home, an assisted living community.
One attribute is regarded as an undeniable fact among her colleagues and friends: Williams was one of the best certified nursing assistants to walk into Dugan.
Williams, now a Dugan resident, spent her childhood navigating the small town of Aberdeen before her family decided to pack up and try their luck in West Point.
Little did she know that her move to West Point would open the door to her life’s passion and the people who would love and guide her in that journey. People like Activity Director Jackie Johnson who are now dedicated to sharing her story as Williams herself cannot in her current health condition.
As a young adult, Williams worked for Mr. and Mrs. Pigford as a housekeeper and cook. When the couple opened a skilled nursing community in the late 1960’s, Williams tried her hand in the craft and discovered her innate skill.
Astounded by her natural talent, the couple kept her on staff. There she remained until it was bought in 1984 by Methodist Senior Services.
Williams embraced her new found talent and set out to become one of the best CNAs at Dugan. In her daily routine, she checked vital signs, made sure everyone had ice and water and their trays, assisted people who needed help eating, gave baths, made sure skin was conditioned, practiced oral care and — because she worked the 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. shift — made sure everyone went to bed.
“There was no cutting corners with her,” Johnson said of Williams, who was sometimes called Lee. “She did everything by the book and did everything meticulously.”
Lee crafted a legacy of strong work ethic and personability in her 55 years at Dugan that allowed her to shape the way CNAs were trained in the community.
“I came to work at Dugan in 2000 and that is where I met Mrs. Leerene,” Johnson said. “She is the one who trained me to be a CNA. She trained me when we were on second shift and that’s when I got to know her.”
Williams and Johnson grew closer through training and eventually worked alongside one another as close friends.
“Our relationship became more personal from work, and we got to know each other and each other’s families. Our likes and dislikes. We became friends,” Johnson said. “She taught me to really take pride in what I do. To really take care of people and love what I do. That is just the person she was and still is.”
As Johnson navigates the highs and lows of her passion, she pays homage to her first mentor. Where Johnson looked for hands-on experience, she also saw a great level of gentleness and kindness in William’s air. She watched how Williams interacted with her patients on a personal level, how she treated them with respect and got to know them, and how they became friends and family over time.
“When I first came in, I saw how she interacted with the elders. She was kind and gentle and they trusted her. She developed relationships with them, that’s how she was,” Johnson said.
Tragedy struck Williams in her career as three of her seven children died and a severe stroke slowed her down tremendously in 2012.
“She has been through a lot, but even through losing her sons, it didn’t diminish her personality. She never lost her bubbliness, kindness or her sense of humor,” Johnson said.
In traditional Williams fashion, when she was well enough after her stroke, she paid her driver to take her back to Dugan so she could continue working.
“She did come back on a light-duty capacity until she could no longer do that,” Johnson said.
After a short while, Williams accepted that she would have to slow down and decided to become a patient in the place that felt like home.
“She started out at Dugan and even though she is now living at Dugan, she is a strong influence on how our CNAs do things now,” Allison said, “She mentors and corrects them, even as a patient.”
As Williams’ chapter as a nursing assistant comes to an end, her colleagues remember her remarkable impact on CNA training while friends like Johnson reminisce on the good times.
In her 22 years with Williams, Johnson fondly recalls Williams’ love of gospel music and old-fashioned fried chicken.
“I remember she would always say ‘Jackie, I would love some good chicken wings,’” Johnson said. “So, I would go up to the store and get her whatever she needed to make her happy.”
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