Sterling Alumni Remember the Glory Days
- Charles Reams
- Apr 15
- 3 min read
Helen Ann Williams is among the many proud former students who fondly speak of Sterling to all who will listen.
She reminisces about her fond recollections of Sterling to her five generations of descendants.
Williams was born on November 12th, 1945, in Pendleton, a small town in Anderson County, SC.
Williams’ father, Ellque, worked for the railroad and transferred to Greenville. While she was attending Washington High School because it was near her house, her father found out about the superior education at Sterling and transferred his daughter there.
By then, Williams had made many close friends at Washington High, so she was reluctant to transfer to another school.
So, Ellque sat Williams down and explained that he did not like working for the railroad, but he had to support his family. He said, if I can do that then you can transfer to another school that will enrich your future in many ways. So, he insisted.
It didn’t take Williams long to see the wisdom in her father’s decision. She soon loved the school, its faculty, teachers, and the student body.
Miss Smith quickly recognized Williams's superior voice and taught her how to use her divine gift to the fullest. The choir was rehearsing for a performance when the instructor called for someone to hit a particularly high note. Williams quickly volunteered. At first, the instructor doubted that Williams could hit such a high note.
But with confidence, Williams hit it. From then on, she was recognized as the only high soprano in the school. It was years later when another high soprano enrolled in the school.
Williams used to bring home very many trophies for singing. In time, she had so many trophies that her father made a display for her to showcase all her trophies.
Horace Butler, the class valedictorian, was most helpful to Williams. With the tutelage of another classmate, her grades improved.
Ruth Ann Butler, who later became a museum curator, graduated with Williams’s sister two years before she attended Sterling.
The end of an era
On September 15, 1967, Sterling was burned to the ground. The fire chief called it likely the work of an arsonist.
Williams was among the student body that was transferred to Washington High and other schools.
When asked to sing the Sterling song, Williams threw her head back and bellowed out these lyrics:
Sterling High School, Sterling High School, bless her name, we bless her name.
Later, Sarah Vaughn heard Williams sing. Vaughn was so enthralled with her voice that she immediately invited her to accompany their touring group singing.
By then, Williams had three young children, so she declined the lucrative offer. Later, others reminded her that Vaughn did not sing only Gospel songs but also secular or popular music. That was anathema for Gospel purists during the 60s.
Williams later married James Williams, another Sterling alumni. They had three children: Stacy, Van, and Franchatta. James later died of cancer, but her children continued to care for her.
And they love to hear her mother revel about the glory days at Sterling High School.
