Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • SUMMER 2018 • PAN PIPES 5 GRACE NOTES A Musical Legacy to Remember S igma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity and the Atlanta Alumnae Chapter have lost a dear and deeply beloved sister with the passing of Betty Williford on April 3, 2018. With her leadership and vast knowledge of Sigma Alpha Iota, we considered Betty to be our chapter's matriarchal figure. Born on May 11, 1933 in Oklahoma, Betty soon proved her musical prowess early in life. She entered the University of Tulsa, earning degrees in Elementary Education and Music Performance in organ. She began her teaching career in 1956 as a third-grade teacher in Oklahoma. It was there that she was initiated into the Sigma Gamma Chapter in 1952. Moving to Atlanta, GA, she joined the Atlanta Alumnae Chapter in 1957 where, in the sixty-one years of membership there, she served as president for several terms and also as treasurer and editor. For many years she printed chapter monthly newsletters and mailed them, as well as printing and mailing yearbook directories. Betty was also instrumental in revamping the chapter's by-laws for several years. Her guidance and remarkable memory of SAI and our Atlanta Alumnae's history made Betty invaluable in our chapter's working. is recognition was acknowledged in her being tapped during several SAI conventions for official responsibilities, and she was a Philanthropies Project Director for many years. Earning the Sword of Honor, Rose of Honor, Rose of Dedication and Ring of Excellence reflected how her fellow sisters felt about her and her tremendous contributions and steadfast loyalty throughout the years. Being an organist of outstanding caliber, Betty held the position of organist/director/accompanist of several Atlanta churches over many years and was oen requested to substitute-play during various church services in the area. Her love for organ was exhibited in performing for numerous chapter musicales. As a member of both the Atlanta Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO) and of the Organ Historical Society for approximately sixty years, she served as secretary for many years in the local AGO chapter, taking copious notes of their meetings and making name tags for functions. Betty rarely missed an AGO meeting, was always dependable, and had a great work ethic in all she undertook. She greatly enjoyed driving various renowned international organists to many competitions, something which few can boast of doing! She was also a member of other professional and educational organizations such as the Choristers Guild, Georgia Music Educators Association, and Delta Kappa Gamma. She was also an adjunct professor at Spelman College and served as GMEA State Elementary Chair for some time. Betty also enjoyed taking several international organ tours with the Organ Historical Society. Teaching music in various elementary schools in the Atlanta area for over forty years was her passion. She took great pride as a volunteer director of the Honor Chorus in the Atlanta City School System. Even aer retiring in 1996, Betty continued directing a young children's choir in a small church in the College Park area where she also played for the church's service. She oen spoke lovingly of her family of sister and spouse, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews with their spouses, and she participated in and enjoyed many vacations and gatherings with them. Her memorial service was held in Atlanta on April 7 with many friends attending who knew, loved, and admired this remarkable person. A contribution is being made to SAI National Headquarters in her memory to be used for educational philanthropies. e Atlanta Alumnae Chapter is all the better for having had Betty Williford as its member. She will be profoundly missed by us and, most assuredly, by AGO, the church where she recently played, by her family, and by her many friends. She had quite an impact on all who knew her and has le a legacy in which we who loved her can only begin to emulate. — Arolue Flemmen Prater, Atlanta Alumnae Chapter As SAI members prepare to attend the Triennial Convention this summer, sisters from near and far have been contacting National Headquarters to share updates on their lives and memories of sisterhood. Emeritus Member Saundra Reber Bicknell, an initiate of Sigma Gamma at the University of Tulsa, is proof positive that music can continue to be a vital part of one's activities for a lifetime. At age 84, Saundra enjoys playing violin in the Lakes Region Symphony in Meredith, New Hampshire, where several members of the symphony are Sigma Alpha Iota members. She has had a long career in music, which included teaching K-8 grade music in Nutley, New Jersey, for 22 years. She also played violin and sang in NYC with a Concert Chorale, which performed with the NYC Philharmonic. Her most savored memory was the first performance of the "Chichester Psalms" conducted by Leonard Bernstein. Saundra married Nixon Bicknell in 1953, a man she grew up with in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He is a graduate of the Westminster Choir College and Union Theological Seminary MCM. They raised three children together and are preparing to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary. Saundra shared, "I was very pleased to be accepted into SAI. Had a wonderful violin teacher, Tosca Berger Kramer. Some wonderful teachers at Tulsa University… I do wish I could join the convention activities but am thrilled to be a member of SAI." Saundra and Nixon Bickell on their 60th anniversary. S o N e a r, S o D e a r i s SAI

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