Dr. La-Dine' W. Gamble

Dr. La-Diné Williams Gamble answered God’s call and entered into Eternal Rest on Thursday, September 18, 2025. La-Diné was born in Lakewood, New Jersey on February 27, 1964, to the union of Johnny Williams and Rudine Holmes Williams. She was the youngest of their two girls. She was reared in a loving, education focused, faith-based, and musical home. She began her education in Germany and then entered elementary school in Rahway and Hillside, New Jersey. She graduated from Hillside High School where she was in the marching and concert bands, and held the leading role, Anna Leonowens, in the play, The King and I. Upon graduation, she attended Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Seton Hall University. After a brief work experience on Wall Street in New York City, NY, Dr. Gamble attended Clark Atlanta University where she earned her master’s degree in public administration. Following a stellar career in higher education, grant writing and administration, Mrs. Gamble completed her doctorate in Christian Education, from Gospel Without Borders Bible College and Seminary in Wichita, Kansas.

At an early age, La-Diné accepted Christ and joined Elizabeth Avenue Weequahic United Presbyterian Church in Newark, New Jersey. There she participated in the youth programs and showed her natural leadership abilities when she was selected to attend the Presbyterian Synod as a representative from the Newark Presbytery. As her musical talents blossomed, La-Diné became the organist and choir director for many local churches. Her passion was playing Bach, Beethoven and classical hymns and anthems on the pipe organ. She was widely known and admired for her beautiful voice as she sang solos for countless weddings and celebrations or just to entertain her mother and family.

As a trained pianist, La-Dine had a love for music; it was her ministry. She served as the organist and choir director for Everette Temple CME Church, Tifton, GA. Upon becoming the Leading Lady of New Ebenezer Baptist, she served as minister of special musical programs and played for numerous Christmas Cantatas. She was also involved in many ministries but two were dear to her heart: The Women’s Conference and the church’s Evangelism Ministry. Representing her church by participating in the National Baptist Convention Choir was something she took great pride in.

La-Diné’s life was forever changed in 1986, when she became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated through the Gamma Zeta Chapter in Newark, New Jersey. She loved AKA and AKA loved her. La-Diné served as president of Lambda Theta Omega Chapter in Kingstree, South Carolina and Sigma Alpha Omega Chapter in Tifton, Georgia. She enjoyed service projects and entertaining in the pink and green AKA room in her home. La-Diné was the epitome of the sorority’s motto, service to all mankind. Attending regional conferences and national conventions was always a highlight. In fact, it was a spectacular adventure of travel, shopping, packing, learning and donning outstanding pink and green attire. This diva had unmatched taste and flair. Conventions allowed Dr. Gamble to sparkle and accent every outfit with her amazing smile.

In 1993, La-Diné married the love of her life, Rev. Dr Norman Gamble, and made a home in Greeleyville, South Carolina. Together they raised four wonderful children: Ti-Esha, Cambridge, Na-Dya and Malcolm. Her children and the family unit were very special. Family vacations across the United States and across the globe were some of the most precious moments that La-Diné would often recall. She cherished exposing her children to other cultures and places while instilling in each of them the importance of education, scholarship, service and the need to build God’s kingdom. One of her proudest accomplishments was to see each of her children graduate from college.

Professionally, La-Diné had an expansive career. As an educator she served as a Student Support Services (Trio) counselor and an instructor at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, GA. Her most impactful work took place within the Williamsburg County School District and Williamsburg County Technical College. She was the first director of the Character Academy, served as a Teen Life Center counselor, and oversaw the nursing and parenting programming. Lastly, she led the grant writing team which won a $25 million Race to the Top grant from the federal government.

Upon retiring, La-Diné continued to consult school districts and local municipalities and work on various cultural and service projects to improve the lives of her surrounding communities. Even after receiving her cancer diagnosis, La-Diné toiled in the vineyard as a board member of the Medical University of South Carolina, Black River campus in Cades, SC. There she championed programs designed to provide quality medical care to rural residents. As a member of the Lions Club, she furthered the work of her passion by helping others in need. Concurrently, she reveled in her role as Mommy La (grandmother) to Landon and Tihler. It was her great joy to “show” them how to ride roller coasters and spend time in the swimming pool, riding her AKA designer golf cart, or jumping on the trampoline. She was truly a doting mother and grandmother cherishing each moment she spent with family.

La-Diné’s desire to bring a smile to others experiencing challenging times was punctuated by her courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Rather than crumble and recede to a cloistered life, she gave “fashion show” entrances at the chemotherapy treatment room to lift the spirits of her fellow cancer warriors. She wrote inspirational and meaningful posts on Facebook to speak the word of God to others and showing how to live each day to the fullest regardless of the cards life deals you. For every complaint La-Diné may have had, she had 100 more positive experiences that greatly outweighed any negativity. She lived her life to the fullest and all can truly say that “life owed her naught for she lived her day.”

The earthly journey for La-Diné ended on Thursday, September 18, 2025. She was preceded in death by her parents Johnny and Rudine Williams. Loving memories of La-Diné will be treasured and her outstanding legacy and commitment to family, church, and scholarship will forever live on in her husband, Rev. Dr. Norman Gamble, her children: Ti-Esha, Cambridge, Na-Dya and Malcolm, grandchildren, Landon and Tihler, sisters, El-Rhonda Williams Alston, Esq. and Gabrielle Williams; six aunts, Helen Adkins, Bertha Blanchard, Barbara Childress, Rev. Mildred Denson (James Alfred), Alnita Foster, Nadine Pittman, Pecola Williams, and one uncle, Nathaniel Holmes, step-mother, Theresa Matthews Williams; sisters-in-law, Florence Edlow, Michelle Gamble, Rev. Dr. Carolyn Moore, and Geraldine President, and Brothers-in-law: Kelly Gamble, Edward Gamble, Bishop Johnny Moore, Kenneth Moore, a special “adoptive son,” Keshawn Hargrove; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, her New Ebenezer Family, and friends galore. 

She will be greatly missed.