JACKSON, Tenn. — Nov. 7, 2016 — The Union community gathered Nov. 5 for a dedication of The Oasis in honor of Leighton Williams, who passed away in 2013 while she was a student at Union.
The Oasis is a sculpture built to celebrate the life of Williams and fellow Union student Olivia Greenlee, who also passed away in the same academic year. Todd Brady, vice president for university ministries, said the word "oasis" means a pleasant or peaceful place in the midst of a hectic or difficult time.
鈥淭his is a metaphor for Christ being our oasis,鈥� he said. 鈥淥ur peace in difficult times.鈥�
Brady led a time of prayer and Scripture reading at the dedication. He said when one of the faithful dies, the memory of them should be eternal life.
鈥淭he oasis in death should be a celebration of this new life and testimony that death has no sting but is swallowed up in the victory of eternal life through Christ Jesus,鈥� he said.
Brady said when he thinks about Leighton Williams, he think of the joy and relationships she had on Union鈥檚 campus. He said these were seen in the Chi Omega sorority, the School of Nursing and the entire campus.
Katie Green, a member of Union鈥檚 Chi Omega chapter, shared her memories of Williams at the dedication. She said Williams modeled the love of Christ by caring for and investing in people with no thought of reward.
鈥淭here are really not enough words to adequately describe what Leighton has brought to this chapter, what she has brought to Union,鈥� Green said. 鈥溾��.Leighton brought the meaning of sisterhood to life for me.鈥�
Union鈥檚 Chi Omega chapter sang a song of remembrance for Williams.
Lee Benson, professor of art at Union, designed the Oasis sculpture. The sculpture includes a tree and working water pump, as well as stones with the initials of Williams and Greenlee.
Those in attendance at the dedication filled jars with water from the pump to keep as personal memorials. Williams' family was in attendance at the dedication, and they were the first to receive water from the pump.