Lynda Nell Williams

Lynda Reed Williams

10/28/1935-9/23/2025

Lynda, born in Lompoc a descendent of James Reed of the Donnor-Reed Party, was proud of her California heritage. Raised in Santa Barbara and later residing in Goleta, she spent her lifetime actively and assiduously serving the community, and fostering broad and deep connections here.

The daughter of an entrepreneur, her knack for numbers, keen memory, and sharp mind were demonstrated not only in her position as Math Mastery Specialist at Monroe Elementary School, the position she held at the time of her retirement, but also in her self-identity as a businesswoman. She owned/managed commercial properties in Lompoc, Buellton, Santa Barbara, and Goleta. Additionally, she worked for several years as a financial advisor with PlanMember Security Corporation in order “to help people succeed.”

A curious life-long learner, following graduate work in school psychology, Lynda said in 1997, “Working at the school, community, and state levels I have tried to continue to learn as much as I could about our changing world and to be of help to others.” Outside of Monroe, she offered help and leadership in many various social and civic capacities. She served as a negotiator for Santa Barbara Teacher’s Association; as chair of the Santa Barbara Women’s Club Endowment, Teas, and Ways and Means Committees; and on the board of directors of both Lake Cachuma’s Neal Taylor Nature Center, and the Santa Barbara High School Alumni Association. It was at SBHSAA awarding Always a Don scholarships and planning overseas alumni trips that her most enduring passions, education and community, merged. In addition, Lynda was an active member of Taws ‘N’ Paws square dance club, Santa Barbara Elks Lodge #613, Santa Barbara Republican Women-Federated, and Santa Barbara Retired Teachers Association.

Upon graduation from UCSB in 1962 with a teaching credential, Lynda began her 35-year career at Monroe. Her stated teaching objective was for “each child to reach their immediate and long-term goals as they also enjoy the beauty and joys of life.” In this statement, Lynda’s professional perspective mirrored her personal life. She was a beautiful woman who valued beauty, be it the artwork she collected or the roses she grew. Fun-loving and adventuresome, she enjoyed many activities – bridge, camping, lawn bowling, music, skiing, square dancing, and tennis. She was a knitter, gardener, reader, and seamstress. She rode a motorcycle on road trips across the United States. She traveled extensively making new friends and relishing new experiences around the globe. Regarding her personal interests, she once declared that she liked “…just doing!” Then she added, “But my favorite activity is teaching. Nothing can top the gleam that signals, ‘Oh, I know! I understand!’”

Throughout her exuberant life, she believed that there was always enough time to do one more thing and always enough space to invite one more person – while simultaneously believing that no amount of ice cream or travel was too much!

Lynda is preceded in death by her first husband of 43 years, Albert Williams. And by her second husband whom she married in 2000, Al Terres. She is survived by her four children, Sherry Reed (Randy), Allen Williams (Joyce), Juli Pippin (Andy), and Christopher Williams (Linda), 5 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on what would have been Lynda’s 90th birthday, October 28, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., at McDermott-Crockett & Associates Mortuary. Donations can be made in her name to the Santa Barbara High School Alumni Association.