LeAnna Clark Williams was born on August 4, 1926 in Natchitoches, Louisiana to Jeannette Etine. Her father was Urie Clark. She completed her earthly journey and earned her heavenly crown on July 3, 2024. Whether you called her Mama, Ma’Dear, Mommy Dear, or Sweet Lea all who knew LeAnna admired her unconditional love for her family, and her dedication towards the well-being of the students she taught. Ma’Dear loved each of her seven children unconditionally. She believed in her children, providing words of encouragement when they were down and expressions of pride when they succeeded. She was a confidante, supporter, and a best friend to her grandchildren. She was a soft lap and a warm hug to her great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.
In her younger days, she was known for putting on ‘the big pot and the little pot’ when friends and family came to call. Her gumbo, coconut cake, fried fish, smothered chicken, smothered pork chops, and fried chicken wings were second to none. Her sweet tea, which she made by the cooler full, was as refreshing as the knowledge that you could always come home.
Ma’Dear taught English, Speech and Drama. She taught high school, middle school, and adult education for Veterans. She believed in looking for the best in the students she taught. She did not give up on them, and she demanded that they not give up on themselves. She was innovative, creative, and dedicated to exposing the students she taught to a world beyond their awareness. Her former students sought her out for years to thank her for believing in them, and not letting them give up.
We miss Ma’Dear’s warm smile, listening ear, and big heart. She is survived by her daughter Sandra Mason (friend McOllie Meeks, and children Dr. Traci Norris, Romulus Roquemore, and Crystalyn Edwards), daughter Cheryl Hall (husband Hilbert Hall-deceased, and sons Christopher Hall and Dr. Michael Hall), son Jeryl Williams, Sr. (fiancé Brenda Verbois, and son Jeryl Williams, Jr.), and daughter and caregiver Sujuan Boutte (caregivers Harold Boutte, Sr. and son Jacob Boutte, and Dr. Harold Boutte, Jr.), and a host of great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, dear friends, and members of the St. Margaret’s Episcopal family whom she said made her feel special at church for the first time in her life.
Ma’Dear was preceded in death by her mother, Jeannette Etine, her father, Urie Clark, her husband, Hamp Williams, her sister, Dorothy Scott Stringer, her brother Tom Scott, Jr., and her sons, Vincent M. Williams, III (survived by wife Katherine Williams, and sons Behm Williams, and Khalid Williams), Joseph Oliver Johnson (survived by then wife LaFern Johnson and daughter Jovalyn Johnson), and her son Leonard Williams (survived by daughters La Kesha Williams, Katrina Stampley, JaKira Williams, and sons, Mickey Williams, Len Williams and Ty’Ron Robinson).
Ma’Dear encouraged all who knew her to be the best they could be. She instilled in her children the desire to succeed against all odds, and she always told them to “Show them better than you can tell them!” She loved music and theater, and she was passionate about educating young people.
Services will be held at St. Margaret’s Episcopal church of Baton Rouge on Saturday, July 20, 2024. Visitation will begin at 9 AM until the church service at 10:30 AM. A repast lunch will follow conclusion of services in the Lyle Hall. Burial to take place in the Lawrence Serenity Sanctum Cemetery of Natchitoches.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that you contribute to a music scholarship for the upcoming academic year via St. Margaret’s Episcopal in her name. Donations can be made below to donate to St. Margaret’s Episcopal, proceeds will go towards the LeAnna Williams Memorial Music Scholarship.
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