Jean Thompson Williams, a former educator and community volunteer, died Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. She was 88. A native of Richmond, Williams had a distinguished career in both education and entrepreneurship.

Williams spent 23 years in Richmond Public Schools, serving in various instructional and administrative roles, and retired as principal of Mary Munford School. After retiring from education, she and her husband founded American World Tours, the area’s first full-service minority-owned travel management company.

She earned her undergraduate degree cum laude from Virginia Union University and pursued graduate studies at Virginia State College (now University), the University of Virginia, and George Washington University. Williams also attended the Advanced Minority Business Executive Program at Dartmouth College in 1988 and 1989.

Williams achieved the Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) designation, the highest professional recognition in the travel industry, and was a Life Member of the Institute of Certified Travel Agents. She traveled extensively, leading tours to the Caribbean, West Africa, Egypt, Greece and Japan.

Active in the community, Williams served as past chair of the Board of Zoning Appeals for the City of Richmond and was a board member for the Metro Chamber of Commerce, Virginia Travel and Tourism Advisory Board and the Virginia Regional Minority Suppliers Development Council. She also was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, The Links and the Delver Woman’s Club.

Williams received numerous awards, including the YWCA Outstanding Women Award in 1990 and the Richmond City Council Public Service Award in 2009. She also was honored with the Mary McLeod Bethune Salute to Black Women in Industry Award in 1986 and the Virginia Regional Minority Supplier Development Council’s MBE of the Year Award in 1987.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Willie “Bill” Williams III, her parents, Laster and Grace Thompson and three brothers. She is suvived by her daughter, Cassandra L. “Casey” Edwards, her god-daughter, Freda Thornton, her sister, Thelma Amy and numerous relatives and friends.

Williams’ funeral service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, at Riverview Baptist Church, 2604 Idlewood Ave.