Gracie Melson

Gracie Mae Williams Melson departed this life on Friday August 2, 2024, at the age of 84 surrounded by her loving family. Gracie was a loving daughter, wife, mother, sister and friend. She was preceded in death by her parents Dorothy C. and Johnnie Williams, her loving husband Thad Melson, Sr. younger brother, Robert L. Williams, and sister Tamara Landry. Gracie was born into a family with deep religious convictions. She attended St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School and graduated from St. Mary’s Academy. She attended Dillard University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Gracie was a member of the Dillard University Professional Organization of Nurses (DUPON), Sigma Theta Tau and a charter member of Chi Eta Phi Nursing Sorority (Rho Chi Chapter) and the Dillard University Monthly Nursing Lunch Bunch. She obtained a Masters in Education from Louisiana State University. Gracie taught nursing in the Orleans Parish School System at New Orleans School for Health Careers, and assisted students obtain their LPN and CNA certifications. Gracie loved life, family, education, gardening, and arts and crafts. Her kindness and generosity touched the lives of everyone she met. She volunteered her time and became a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), Child Health Consultant for the State of Louisiana. Gracie leaves to cherish her memory her two loving daughters, Sarita Patrice and Dyan Theresa Melson; her sisters, Freddie Mae Grayson of Kansas City, Kansas; Adrienne W. Patterson (Geoffrey) of Shawnee, Kansas; Andrenell W. Johnson of Grandview, Missouri, and Kim Williams of New Orleans, Louisiana; her brothers, Stevie L. Williams, Sr. (LaVonne) of Bonner Springs, Kansas and Ronald and Bryan Williams of Miami, Florida. She will be deeply missed by her sisters in Christ, (the Godmothers of her daughters) Patricia Young and Eloise Blunt (deceased), goddaughter Marcia Blunt, grandchildren in Christ, Madison Levy and Alexia Jefferson, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Relatives and friends of the family, Members of Dillard University Professional Organization of Nurses (DUPON), Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), Childcare Health Consultant for the State of Louisiana, Chi Eta Phi Rho Chi Chapter, Dillard University Monthly Nursing Lunch Group and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated New Orleans Alumnae Chapter are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Raymond and St. Leo the Great Catholic Church 2916 Paris Ave New Orleans, LA 70119 on Saturday August 10, 2024 at 11:00 am, Visitation 9:00am-11:00am. Interment: Mt Olivet Cemetery Arrangements by D. W. Rhodes Funeral Hom. 3933 Washington Ave. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to sign the online guestbook.