Bessie Matthews Williams

Abbeville—Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM on Saturday, June 19, 2021 at Mt. Triumph Baptist Church, 310 S. Lamar St., Abbeville honoring the life of Bessie Matthews Williams, 88, who died Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 12:45 PM she entered her heavenly resting place.   She will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery.

On June 19, 1932, God blessed Isiah and Luna Matthews with a beautiful daughter named Bessie Mae Matthews in Abbeville, Louisiana where she spent her childhood years.

Bessie Mae was baptized at Mt. Triumph Baptist Church by the late Reverend A.J. Mayes in Abbeville.  She attended James A. Herod High School.  Bessie Mae met the love of her life Francis B. Williams.  After their Holy Union they had one daughter, Lolita Yolanda Guidry.  Bessie attended Southern University where she became a member of Delta Sigma Theta.  She fulfilled her dreams of becoming a school teacher where she taught elementary school for 39 years.  Bessie was a devoted member of her church where she was a Deaconess, Mission Sister, and choir member.  Bessie loved to share her gift of singing.  She was a volunteer at the Abbeville Council on Aging.  She also loved her family no matter near or far.  She enjoyed Sunday dinners most of all. Cooking for the family and enjoying the laughter, kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews, just the love made her full of joy.

She leaves to cherish one daughter, Lolita Y. Guidry (Christopher) of Abbeville; four step-children, Ida Ballaue and Donald Roy James both of Port Arthur, TX, Evelyn Crosby and Reverend James Davis of Lake Charles; best friend, Dorothy Grogan; special son, Gene Williams; grandchildren, Mrs. Lakisha S. Nunez (Tyron) of Houston, TX, Britana Guidry of Boston, MA, Cody C. Guidry, Chelsea Guidry, and Cordell Guidry all of Abbeville; 16 great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Bessie M. Williams was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. Isiah and Luna Matthews; husband, Mr. Francis B. Williams; and three sisters, Elmonia Matthews-Joiner, Gracie Mae Hardy, and Rose Byrd.

The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Mt. Triumph Baptist Church, 310 S. Lamar St., Abbeville on Saturday, June 19, 2021 from 9:00 AM until time of services.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Hospice of Acadiana, Ms. Coretta Williams and Ms. Gertrude Chargois for their generosity, support, and assistance in the care of mom.