Barbara Graham Williams’ Bequest Establishes Endowed Faculty Chair to Support Excellence in Teaching

When the late Barbara Graham Williams moved to Houston in 1967, she had already researched the best educational opportunities for her children—third grader Mary Margaret '77 and kindergartener John '81. “Luckily, we were able to start at Kinkaid,” Mary Margaret says. “Several years later, my mother started teaching at Kinkaid as well.” Barbara went on to teach Latin in the Middle School for 30 years.

Following a career dedicated to teaching and mentoring children, Barbara included a bequest to the School in her estate plan to ensure that her support of Kinkaid students continues for future generations.

“Education was very important to my mother, which is evident by how she created the best possible opportunities for my brother and me,” Mary Margaret says.

Barbara was a huge supporter of her children’s activities. “We both played sports every season, and she was at all of our games,” Mary Margaret says. “After we graduated, she continued to be a tireless cheerleader for Kinkaid. She was the faculty sponsor for the middle school cheerleader squad for many years and helped sponsor the annual eighth grade trip to Washington, D.C., spring break ski trips, and summer study programs in the U.K.”

Because Barbara’s gift was unrestricted, Mary Margaret chose to direct the funds to create an endowed faculty chair for middle school latin to both honor Barbara’s contribution to Kinkaid and support excellence in teaching for years to come.

Mary Margaret hopes sharing the story of her mother’s philanthropy will inspire generosity in others as they consider the legacy gifts they could leave to support Kinkaid’s future.