Dr. Ethelyn Williams-Neal, who practiced pediatrics in Memphis for nearly 60 years, passed away at her home Monday, March 30, 2026, her family said. She was 87.
Williams-Neal was born Ethelyn Juanita Williams on April 27, 1938 in Mason, Tennessee, to John Ed and Odessa Williams. The middle of three sisters, Ethelyn grew up on her familyโs farm before her parents eventually relocated to Memphis in pursuit of better educational opportunities for their daughters. The sisters would each go on to become doctors โ Willie Mae, a Ph.D. in education; Ethelyn a pediatrician; and Beverly an endocrinologist.
Williams-Neal attended Klondike Elementary and went on to graduate as valedictorian of the Manassas High School class of 1956. She enrolled at Central State College, originally to become a medical technologist. However, her exceptional intelligence garnered encouragement from several of her professors to pursue medicine. One, a medical researcher for whom she worked directly, told her to go to medical school and wrote her a letter of recommendation on the spot.
Williams-Neal obtained her medical degree from the University of Illinois in Chicago before returning home to Memphis for her 1966-67 internship. She became the first Black intern in the City of Memphis Hospital system (now known as the MED).
She married attorney Olly Neal in 1973 and they divorced amicably several years later.
Williams-Neal opened a private pediatric practice in Memphis in 1977, serving hundreds of children across the city until her โofficialโ retirement in 2024. Her tenure allowed her to treat generations of patients and later those she affectionately referred to as her โgrand-patients.โ
Williams-Nealโs early pursuit of excellence became a commitment and a charge to serve and uplift her community. Alongside her sisters she co-founded the Williams Sisters Three Fund at Manassas; the John Ed and Odessa Williams Scholarship Fund at Friendship Baptist Church; and the John Ed and Odessa Williams endowment at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center (UTHSC) in Memphis. She and her sister Beverly lent their medical expertise and services through health screenings at Friendship Baptist church members and the larger Klondike community.
Williams-Neal also started a community garden to encourage church and community members to eat more whole foods.
She was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and served on numerous boards and committees and held leadership roles. She served as secretary for the Bluff City Medical Society in 1977-1980, and president in 1989-1991. She was also an avid supporter of the arts and culture, from the Memphis Symphony Orchestra to her membership in organizations like The Society and The Links, Inc., Sisters of the Yam travel/book club and the Ashanti Literary Guild.
Williams-Neal was preceded in death by her sisters, Willie Mae Williams-Crittendon, Ph.D., in 2015 and Dr. Beverly Jean Williams-Cleaves in 2020.
She is survived by her nieces Pamela Crittendon Johnson (Doug), Marinda Anderson; nephew Sheldon Crittendon (Lolita); great-niece and great-nephew Jehan and William โSkeeterโ Roberson; brothers-in-law Cordy Crittendon and Calvin Cleaves, Sr., โbonusโ nephews and nieces Calvin Cleaves II (Georgette), their children Calvin Douglas Cleaves III and Addyson Cleaves; and Carlotta Williams (Terence), their daughter Astasia Williams and son Terence (T.J.) Williams, Jr., as well as scores of close family friends, church family, professional colleagues, and community members.
Services include:
Visitation, Friday, April 17, 2026, 5 โ 7 p.m., Friendship Baptist Church, 1355 Vollintine Ave., Memphis, TN 38107.
Funeral, Saturday April 18, 2026, 12 p.m., Hill Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, 4523 Raleigh LaGrange Rd., Memphis, TN 38128.
Burial immediately following service, Elmwood Cemetery, 824 S Dudley St., Memphis, TN 38104
E.H Ford Mortuary (Whitehaven) has charge.
