Her sunny smile, her joyful nature, strength, courage, love, selflessness, affection, dignity, generosity and elegance endeared her to anyone fortunate enough to have been touched by her. She has inspired us all and we thank God for her having graced our lives with her presence. Floraine will forever remain in our hearts.
[Memorial: Passings]
August 25, 1923 — October 19, 2008
Floraine Beatrice Williams grew up in the San Juan Hill section of Manhattan and lived in the city all of her life.
The daughter of Beatrice (Berry) of St. Croix (Danish West Indies) and William Matthew of St. Kitts, she was the youngest of nine in a large family which included sisters Carmen, Nathalie (Dolly), Geraldine and Ruth, and brothers Cameron, William, Jr. (Buster), Travis (Sonny) and Lawrence (Copper), all of whom predeceased her.
Flo graduated from Morris High School in the Bronx before marrying the love of her life, the late Lloyd Paul Williams. Their blessed union would produce five children and last 54 years, until his death in April of 2004.
Floraine was a devoted and loving mother who remained very focused on her kids during their childhood. Then, after many years as a homemaker, she returned to the workforce as an executive secretary with New York City’s Human Resources Administration (HRA) in the Department of Post Institutional Services. At HRA, she forged lasting friendships with many of her co-workers. And upon her retirement, Flo was able to spend more time with her family.
Devoutly religious and deeply spiritual, Floraine was a faithful parishioner for over half a century at St. Catherine of Sienna Church where she was a member of the Rosary Society and taught Sunday school. During her golden years, Flo loved to travel with her husband, especially taking cruises to the Caribbean and trips to Atlantic City and Las Vegas.
She left behind her children Lawrence, Lloyd, Jr., Daryl, Teri and Roderick; daughters-in-law Claudia and Susan; son-in-law Raymond Smaltz; grandchildren, Cameron and Gabrielle Williams; step-grandchild Nicholas Antoine; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. The next generation may have now taken the mantle, though Flo’s generous, loving spirit shall undoubtedly endure.
Her sunny smile, her joyful nature, strength, courage, love, selflessness, affection, dignity, generosity and elegance endeared her to anyone fortunate enough to have been touched by her. She has inspired us all and we thank God for her having graced our lives with her presence. Floraine will forever remain in our hearts.
A wake with a viewing and memorial service will be held at St. Catherine’s on Wednesday, October 29th between 2 and 4 PM, and between 7 and 9 PM.
The funeral mass will be at St. Catherine’s on Thursday, October 30th at 10 AM, Father Bill Sweeney presiding. Burial is set to take place immediately thereafter at Calverton National Cemetery in Suffolk County on Long Island.
St Catherine of Sienna Church is located at 118-22 Riverton St. in St. Albans, Phone: (718) 528-1220. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Catherine of Sienna Youth Group. Arrangements are being handled by Franklin Funeral Home (516) 776-9491.
To comment or to subscribe to or advertise in New York’s leading Pan African weekly investigative newspaper, or to send us a news tip, please call (212) 481-7745 or send a note to [email protected]
“Speaking Truth To Empower.”
