Louida Williams

Obituary

Louida Williams, 79, transitioned to her heavenly home on Thursday, February 9. 2023 in Orange Park, Florida. She was born on August 24, 1943 in Sunflower, Mississippi to the late Isaac James, Sr. and the late Lucille Looney.  As a young girl, Louida and her family moved to Memphis, Tennessee where she attended school and served as the Big Sister to many of her younger cousins.  She later moved to Los Angeles, California where she lived for more than 50 years, and in 2016, relocated to Florida where she enjoyed her retirement years.

Louida had several jobs throughout her life, most of which were in the cleaning industry.  She enjoyed making things “shine” after she put her “cleaning touch” on them.  She garnered a very stellar career in this industry and ultimately retired from UPS as a sanitation engineer.  She enjoyed cooking, gardening, watching tv and participating in as much retail therapy as she possibly could.  She loved people but most importantly, she loved her children and grandchildren.

Louida’s love of family was important to her.  She loved to cook and host family events, where she specialized in all things soul food and even many southern creole cooking dishes, which included some fresh vegetables and herbs from her garden.

Nothing was more important than her love of Jesus Christ which she began her Christian walk at 11 years old and faithfully served God until her transition.  Over the years, she was a faithful member and leader of Heavenly View Missionary Baptist Church (Pastor Eddie Cleveland) then New Jericho Christian Church (Pastor Wendell Davis) and finally, Love Alive Church (Pastors Leo & Norma Davis).   

Louida was preceded in death by her parents: Isaac James, Sr. & Lucille Looney; grandparents: Burrell & Henrietta Beatty Looney; brothers: Martin Adams, Claudy James, Freddie James, Isaac James, Jr. & Joseph James; and sisters: Bernice Collins and Lula James.

She leaves to cherish her memory:

Five children: Benjamin Walsh, Norma (Leo) Davis, Mary Montgomery, Derrick (Shorouk) Murray, and Aaron Murray
Twenty-four grandchildren: Benjamin, Jr., Bridgett, Kadisha, Kareem, Leilani, Hassan, Kyran, Taaliyah, Sadheeqa, Abdul-Muhayman, Sanna, Suehaylah, Abdul Aleem, Ayyub, Ubaydallah, Hafsa, Nygel, Nyjee, Nyla, DeAni, Joshua, Jonathan, Juyon and Carissa
Three great-grandchildren: Josiah, Major, and Phoebe
Sisters: Mary Nixon and Ruthie James
Brothers: John James, Wille James, Walter James, and Henry James
Goddaughter: Tanyita Stacy and God-grandson: Jeremiah Brown
Very Special Friends: Willie Price, Barbara Pearsall, Ella Bipialaka-Noel (Bippie), Sarah Kirksey, Eleanora Thornton-Worthington, and Rev Lewis Williams, Jr.
A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, friends, stepdaughters, stepsons, brothers, and sisters in Christ, which are all too many to name.

Louida was affectionally known by many as Lou or Mama Lou and she will be missed by all.

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