Soddy-Daisy girls’ basketball coach Katie Wright will savor the lasting embrace she shared with Jennifer “Curly” Williams in March after the Lady Trojans became region champions for the first time since 1968.
The program’s 55-year drought ended in its first season under the direction of Wright, who had a key mentor in Williams as the Lady Trojans finished with 23 victories by winning 17 of their last 20 games.
That congratulatory hug is among the memories Wright will keep of Williams, who died Monday. Williams, who had cancer, was 52.
“Curly was a mentor, a friend, someone I look up to, someone I could lean on and ask for advice,” Wright said of Williams, who was an assistant principal at the high school. “I sure will miss seeing her in the stands every game and then going to sit with her after to talk. She helped me more than she ever knew.
“I loved having her there to lean on and loved every piece of advice and love she gave me. I will miss her oh so much. She was so selfless and such a giver. She was loved by all and made everyone’s day better. She was truly God-sent, and he knew I needed her in my life. I know this beautiful guardian angel will forever be rooting us on.”