Sr. M. Floretta Williams, SSND

SISTER M. FLORETTA WILLIAMS

The eighth of ten children was born to Elina (Waguespack) and Walter Williams on October 6, 1942, in Marrero, Louisiana.  She was baptized on October 18, 1942, at Immaculate Conception Church and named Bertha Marie.  Two older children died in infancy. The eight living children (five girls, three boys), their parents, grandmother and uncle lived together in a three-bedroom home in Marrero.

The close-knit family bonded together by praying the Rosary daily.  The family home was also a gathering place for the neighborhood children.  An older sister, deceased Sister Marie (Walter Marie) entered SSND.

Bertha attended Marrero Public School for the first four grades.  She transferred to Immaculate Conception Catholic School, staffed by the School Sisters of Notre Dame, for her remaining years of elementary education.  She was greatly influenced by the smile and cheerfulness of one of her teachers and desired to experience that same kind of happiness.  In the eighth grade, she visited the Aspiranture at St. Mary of the Pines, Chatawa, Mississippi.  Impressed with the school, she asked her parents if she could enroll for her high school education.

Bertha received the candidate veil at her home parish on August 22, 1960, and entered at Sancta Maria in Ripa, St. Louis, Missouri.  She was received into the Novitiate on July 29, 1961, and given the name M. Floretta.  She professed first vows on July 30, 1962, in St. Louis and final vows on July 30, 1967, at the recently established motherhouse in Dallas, Texas.

Sister Floretta was granted a bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1973 from Texas Women’s University, Denton, Texas and a master’s degree in reading education from Texas Women’s University in 1979.

Following profession, she was missioned to St. Gerard Majella, Baton Rouge. LA as housekeeper and cook for a community of thirty Sisters.  During her fourth year in this ministry, the first-grade teacher became seriously ill, and Sister Floretta was asked to substitute in the classroom.  This began her 35 years of service in elementary education.  She taught at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Houston; St. Gerard Majella, San Antonio; St. Francis Xavier, Albuquerque, NM; Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Chalmette, LA; Visitation of Our Lady, Marrero, LA.

In the mid-1980s, her father became seriously ill and her mother was in need of support as his caretaker.  With the consent of the Provincial Council, she was able to live with her blood sister, Sister Marie.  They could both continue in their ministries and also assist in the care of their father and support their mother.  In 1986, she began teaching at St. Maria Goretti, Lake Arthur, LA.  When the school closed, she taught at Holy Name of Mary, Gretna, LA.  During this time, her father died and her mother moved to Wynhoven Apartments.  She then taught at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Belle Chasse, LA.  After her mother’s death, she taught at Holy Savior, Lockport, LA and then at St. Bernadette, Houma, LA.

In 2011, she spent a year as a driver for the Sisters at St. Mary of the Pines, Chatawa, Mississippi.  This was followed by a sabbatical in Orange, California.  Her last years of teaching were at St. Alphonsus, McComb, LA.  In 2014, she retired and provided community service at St. Mary of the Pines.  With other SSNDs, she moved to St. Anthony’s Gardens, Covington, LA in 2019.  She was transferred to Trinity Trace Community Care Center, Covington, LA in February 2026.  She died peacefully in her sleep in the early morning of March 28, 2026.  May she now rest in God’s loving arms as she enters eternal life.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM Thursday, April 9. 2026, with a Prayer Service/Sharing of Memories at 10:30 AM followed by a Memorial Mass at 11:00 AM at St. Anthony’s Gardens at 601 Holy Trinity Drive, Covington, LA., 70433.  Fr. Dean Robin will officiate.  Inurnment will follow at 1:30 PM at St. Mary of the Pines Cemetery, Chatawa, MS.

Arrangements are entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home of Covington, LA.

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