Listen Now:
Lori Williamson and Her Husband, Thomas
For Tullahoma native Lori Williamson, faith was a big part of her life growing up. She talked about that faith at StoryCorps in Nashville. That’s where people from around Tennessee are talking about their lives and loved ones.
Lori faced a challenge to her Christian beliefs when they collided with the issue of race. It all started when she was at a sleepover with friends. Lori wanted to invite a black girl at the sleepover to church, but her mother refused without saying why.
Lori wanted answers. She looked to the man she admired most in her life, her grandfather, who was also her pastor.
The two sat down at the kitchen table for a difficult conversation about religion and race. Eventually, the discussion turned to the subject of interracial marriage.
Lori’s story was produced here at WPLN. Visit storycorps.org to find ways to record your own story.
View and listen to all of our StoryCorps series here
On Air - 90.3 WPLN-FM