Obituary

Patricia Ann Conerly Williams

April 2, 1950 - April 17, 2024

Patricia Ann Conerly, a loving mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, cousin, beloved educator, and advocate for Musicianship for School, Community, and Nation, passed away at the age of 74 on April 17, 2024, in McKinney, Texas. 

Patricia was born on April 2, 1950, to Zula Mae and Charlie R. Conerly Sr. In Vernon Community Mt. Hermon, La. She was united in marriage to Thomas Williams on December 28, 1974, and to this union, two children were born Keeyon and LaKisha Williams. Patricia started piano lessons at 4 years old, under Ms. Rachel Pugh in Bogalusa, LA. She later continued piano lessons under Robert (Bobbie) John Crain until, graduating from High School. She also loved singing in the choir. 

Patricia attended Vernon Elementary and Vernon High School, graduating Valedictorian of class in 1968. She continued her education with a four-year Scholarship to Southern University Baton Rouge in Music. Patricia earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education, Major Piano, and Minor Voice in 1972. She also sang in the Southern University Women's Glee Club under the direction of Mrs. Rebecca Curio. She was known as (Pee Wee) in the Music Department. Patricia pledged Mu Phi Epsilon Music Fraternity. The purpose of this Fraternity is the recognition of Scholarship and Musicianship for the development of a bond of friendship among its members to the advancement of Music in the Community, and World. This was her gift. She loved developing and providing musicianship in school and community through her service as a musician, choir director, and teacher. Patricia later obtained her Master’s Degree and 30 plus at Southeastern University in Hammond, LA. 

After graduation, she started her teaching career in Varnado, LA where she lived with the Peters family. Missing home she moved back to the Vernon Community, where she began teaching Music at Mt. Hermon School kindergarten through 12th grade. Patricia enjoyed teaching music, directing her choirs, competing at rallies, and preparing the young kids for performances or plays like Little Red Riding Hood, and Three Little Pigs. The majority of her high school students had to perform Man In The Mirror and hold the memories close. 

She also taught Private Piano lessons and voice and played for many churches in the Community and surrounding Churches, to name a few Plainview, Midway, Plainview Baton Rouge while at Southern University, Sweet Home Church, Crystal Springs A.M.E and Winan A.M.E. Patricia enjoyed preparing for celebrations like Dr. Martin Luther King’s Day and Washington Parish Free Fair Stage performances by the school, directing South Western Diocese Convention Church Choirs. Patricia's hobbies were, Gardening, she loved her house plants, and baking for her family, especially the children (nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews), she enjoyed spoiling them. Decorating, shopping, fashion (she loved her hats, high-heeled shoes, and all the latest clothes). As a Mother Trish loved Keeyon and Kisha, and her grandchildren were her heart. She loved her family also. Every summer she would get the children's nieces, nephews, and cousins together at her house and give them whatever they wanted, like cookies, drinks, chips, cool cups, pickles, McDonald’s, pizza, and Burger King. Whenever she visited her sister Frankie in Lafayette, she would repot all of her house plants, and go to the Church and Choir rehearsal with her. Patricia loved fellowshipping she never met a stranger. On her visits, she would teach the children Bible lessons, and piano, and assign books to read or math. Some of her favorite gospel artists were Daryl Coley, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Richard Smallwood, John Pee Kee, and Mississippi Mass Choir (Frank Williams). 

She leaves to cherish her devoted, caring, and supportive daughter, LaKisha (Kevin) Ware, her 6 adorable grandchildren: Khaleb, Khari, A’Lurah (her twin), Alexis, Khaiden, and Kevin Chris, her loving baby sister, Frankie (Louis) Brown from Sunset, LA, a host of nieces and nephews along with extended family Mary Ann Dorsey, James Kemp, and Dolph Kemp.

Visitation will be held on Friday, April 26, 2024 from 9:00AM - 11:00AM followed by the funeral service at 11:00AM at Midway Church of Christ Holiness USA with Bishop Leroy Divinity, Jr. - Pastor Officiating, Pastor Kevin Ware - Eulogist. 

Crain and Sons Funeral Home - Franklinton are in charge of arrangements.