Carolyn Hall Williams

Carolyn Hall Williams transitioned from labor to reward on March 8, 2025, at the age of 76. Born on February 11, 1949, in New Orleans, LA, she was the daughter of the late James Hall and the late Betty Baptiste Hall. Her foundational education took place at Holy Ghost Catholic School, followed by a fulfilling experience at Xavier University Preparatory High School, which she cherished. After graduating from High School, she pursued higher education at Xavier University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education in 1971. She then became an educator within the New Orleans Public School System. Driven by a desire to enhance her students’ learning, she returned to her alma mater, Xavier University, and achieved a Master of Arts Degree in Education in 1984. Carolyn continued her teaching career at L.V. Hansberry as a third and fourth grade teacher, where she was recognized for twenty-five years of dedicated service to the students of Hansberry. After retiring from New Orleans Public Schools, she felt her gift and passion for teaching was not yet fulfilled. She joined the Archdiocese of New Orleans and taught at St. Simon Peter for nearly a decade, where she loved shaping the minds of her young scholars. Upon her second retirement, she opted to relax and embrace the joys of life, spending quality time with the love of her life, her husband, Warner. They enjoyed traveling together and attending his live performances as a musician, all while relishing their role as grandparents and cherishing time with their grandchildren. She leaves to cherish her memory, her step daughters, Terri Mercadel-Luster (Brian) and Regina Mercadel of New Orleans, LA, and Shannon Riddell of Oshawa, Canada; her grandchildren, Julius Gibbs (Kahlia) of Houston TX, Shelrick Bezue, Kieron Bezue and Tajh Mercadel of New Orleans, LA and Briana Riddell (Cory) of Oshawa, Canada; along with four great-grandsons, Kruze Raymond Gibbs and Kole Joseph Gibbs of Houston, TX and Kingsley and Gabriel Wilding of Oshawa, Canada; her brothers-in-law Vincent and Brennan Williams of New Orleans, LA; her best friend Diane Whitlow and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends. She was preceded in death by the Love of her life, her husband Warner Joseph Williams, her parents James Hall and Betty Baptiste Hall, her sister-in-law Idara Williams Elam and her brother-in-law Vaughn Williams. Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian burial that will be celebrated at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, 7300 Crowder Blvd., New Orleans, LA on Friday, March 21, 2025. The visitation with the family will begin at 9:00 a.m., followed by the Mass at 10:00 a.m. Interment will take place at Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery. Professional services are entrusted to D. W. Rhodes Funeral Home 3933 Washington Ave.