Mary Stella Woolfolk Williamson passed away peacefully at Baton Rouge General Hospital on February 11, 2022, unexpectedly, due to Covid-19. She had been admitted 10 days earlier on her 93rd birthday. Stella, a stunning beauty in her youth, was descended from a pioneer family who settled "The Plains", north of Baton Rouge, in the 18th century. She was a successful attorney-at-law, raised a family, co-founded Baton Rouge's first Volkswagen dealership with her late husband Robert, and was one of Louisiana's top amateur golfers. Stella was born in Zachary on February 1, 1929 to Richard Gordon Woolfolk and Eunice Lilley Young and grew up on a farm. She attended Zachary High School, graduating in 1946 Salutatorian. She received a scholarship in journalism to attend Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, where she met her future husband, Robert. She transferred to Louisiana State University after that. Stella married Robert Jean Williamson, Tallulah, Louisiana, on June 27, 1953 in an evening candlelight service at the Plains Presbyterian Church. The marriage lasted 44 years until Robert's death in 1997. From 1955, Stella successfully raised three daughters and grew the Volkswagen business with Robert. Stella was proud of her achievement as multi-year Ladies' Golf Champion at the Baton Rouge Country Club. Whenever possible, she rushed off to practice golf. In 1978, Stella completely re-invented herself by obtaining her Juris Doctor, LSU Law School. She was admitted to the Louisiana State Bar Association in 1979 and practiced law for 19 years. One of her proudest achievements was advocating for changes to Louisiana's forced heirship laws. She spoke at legislative committee hearings and worked closely with legislators including the late Senator Sydney Nelson to secure the passage of new laws in 1989. In October 1995 the State Constitution was amended. Coincidentally, after many years, Stella discovered Senator Nelson was her cousin. Stella also undertook important research in genealogy and local church history. She transcribed the 19th century handwritten Plains Presbyterian Church Minutes, the "gathering of elders". Stella is a Past-President of the Baton Rouge Genealogical and Historical Society. Stella loved playing bridge and wrote beautiful poetry in her spare time. Stella is survived and will be dearly missed by her daughters Linda Williamson Bergin OAM, Jeannie Dianne Williamson, and Mary Jane Williamson Carpenter; grandson Maxwell Porter Carpenter; sister Virginia Woolfolk Brian (Joseph Brian); and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by husband Robert Jean Williamson, brothers Claude, Dick Jr., Martin and Warren and her parents. The family is especially grateful to Stella's long-time assistant Alyson Farris and the medical staff at Baton Rouge General Hospital especially Devin Johnson. Services will be held Saturday, February 19. Visitation begins at 10:00 AM at the Young Family Cemetery, 1640 East Plains Port Hudson Rd, Zachary, with the graveside funeral beginning at 11:00 AM. A reception will immediately follow at the Plains Presbyterian Church, 22929 Old Scenic Hwy, Zachary. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to The Zachary Food Pantry. Published by The Advocate from Feb. 15 to Feb. 19, 2022.