Sis. Loretha Cecilia Williams was born to the late Mr. L.C. Williams and Mrs. Myrtle Shade Williams in Leesville, La. on Dec. 17, 1957.

Loretha grew up in Merryville/Bancroft, La. She joined the church and was baptized at an early age.

Spiritually, Sis. Williams was a member of Mt. Canaan Baptist Church in DeRidder, La. At Mt. Canaan, she served as a President of the Mission, Sunday School Teacher, Children’s Ministry Leader, and Senior Choir Musician.

Professionally, Sis. Williams was a graduate of the Beauregard Parish School System, Southern University (B.S.), and Nova Southeastern University (Masters). She worked in Florida in the mid-to-late 80’s as an ESE Teacher. Later, she became an Assistant Principal for a number of years in Volusia County in Central Florida. She left Central Florida and returned to Louisiana in 2005. She then began in Beauregard Parish as a Program Facilitator until she retired. 

Socially, in 1981, Sis. Williams was inducted into the Zeta Psi Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Sis Loretha Cecilia Williams departed this life on Jan. 24, 2025, at 8:03 a.m. at Brookdale Retirement Center in Lake Charles, La. She is survived by three aunts, Parthenia S. Douglas-Beal of Leesville, La.; Othella S. Anderson of Houston, Texas and Gloria S. Prescott of Durham, N.C.; one uncle, Gene A. Shade of Nashville, Tenn. and a host of cousins, relatives, and many friends. Two of her closest friends were Aunt Gloria Williams and Ellis R. Spikes.

 Visitation will be held on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Myers Colonial Funeral Home in DeRidder, La. Visitation will continue on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, from 9 a.m. until the time of funeral service at 11 a.m., also at Myers Colonial Funeral Home. Pastor Wilfert Williams will officiate the service. Pallbearers will be Jimmy Childs, John Satcher, Harry Hooker Jr., John W. Spikes, Joe Lester Spikes, Reggie Spikes, Norman Travis, Billy Ray Spikes. Burial will follow at Leesville Memorial Cemetery in Leesville, La.