Betty Ann Lastie Williams

Betty Ann Lastie Williams entered into eternal rest on Monday, August 7, 2017 due to complications related to lung cancer at the age 76. She is preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Alice Hill Lastie, her daughter, Unae Williams Jackson, her daughter-n-law, Brenda Riley, her son Stanford Williams, her grandson, Joseph Williams, her great granddaughter, Lauren Benn, her brothers, Chester Sr., Melvin Sr., David Sr., Joseph Sr. and Walter Lastie. She leaves to cherish her memories her 2 sisters, Devora Hampton and Elaine Jackson, her adopted brother, Charles Edward Harper, her children: Herlin Riley Jr. (Patricia), Keith Riley, Lynne Sharp (Darial), Elder James Williams III (Demica) and Pepper Battiste (Jerome). She also leaves behind 32 grandchildren including 4 that she raised after the passing of her daughter Unae (Arian Macklin, Unetra Williams, Unell Williams and the late Joseph Williams), 83 great grandchildren and 11 great-great grandchildren. Betty Ann was also a surrogate mother, grandmother, aunt and friend to many who will miss her laughter and zest for life. She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends that loved her dearly and enjoyed her company. Betty Ann was also an organist and vocalist for numerous churches during her lifetime. She began playing music and singing at the age of 13 at Greater New Home Missionary Baptist Church. Betty Ann traveled and performed abroad and locally with her late brothers David and Walter (Popee) Lastie. She performed under the stage name “Miss. B”. In 2003, she performed at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Brooklyn, NY with her late grandson, Joseph Williams (trombonist) and her son, Herlin (drummer). In 2011, she traveled to Ascona, Switzerland as the featured vocalist in a centennial tribute to Mahalia Jackson in a band led by Herlin. In 2015, she recorded with her grandson, Arian (tuba player) and the Hot 8 Brass Band on a CD entitled “Vicennial”. Towards the end of her musical career, she performed alongside her nephew, Joseph Lastie Jr. with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. She was a member of St. James Methodist Church where her childhood friend, Reverend Joseph Tilly, pastored her. Relatives and friends of the family, also ministers, musicians and neighboring churches are invited to attend a musical tribute and wake service on Monday, August 14, 2017 at 7:30 pm; Visitation will begin at 4:00 pm. The Service of Triumph will be Tuesday, August 15, at 11:00 am; Visitation will begin at 9:00 am. Both wake and Service of Triumph will be held at St. James Methodist Church, 1925 Ursulines Ave., NOLA; Interment: Resthaven Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home, 3933 Washington Ave. Please visit www.rhodes funeral.com to sign the online guestbook.