Clarissa S. Williams

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General President of Relief Society 1921 1928 - Clarissa Smith Williams.jpg

Clarissa Smith Williams (April 21, 1859 – March 8, 1930) was the sixth general president of the Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1921 to 1928. Williams was the first native Utahn to become Relief Society president.

Clarissa Smith was born in Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, to Susan West, the seventh wife of LDS Apostle George A. Smith.

In 1901, Bathsheba W. Smith, who was one of George A. Smith's other wives, asked Williams to serve as treasurer of the Relief Society. Williams served in this position until 1910, when she became the first counselor to president Emmeline B. Wells in the Relief Society general presidency. She held this position until 1921, when she was chosen to succeed Wells as president after Wells's death. Due to failing health, Williams asked to be released from her calling in 1928 and was succeeded by Louise Y. Robison. Williams died of nephritis in Salt Lake City.[1]

Williams married William N. Williams on July 17, 1877 and was the mother of eleven children.

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