Post by Ray Higgins on Nov 16, 2008 15:48:01 GMT -6
Catherine “Cat” Jones Williams (11-14-2008)
Catherine “Cat” Jones Williams was born July 2, 1923 in Minden, Louisiana to the union of the late Joseph L. Jones and Olethia Richardson Jones. At an early age she accepted Christ and was baptized at Saint Rest Baptist Church in Minden, LA. Catherine graduated from Minden High School in Minden, Louisiana. She attended Talladega College in Talladega AL. where she received a Bachelors of Science Degree. Upon completion of her bachelor’s degree she attended New York University completing her Master’s Degree. Cat was united in holy matrimony to John “Porky” Williams of Baton Rouge on November 20, 1960. She worked diligently to provide all things good and wise for her husband. They were not just a wife and husband, but the best of friends sharing many memorable moments of love and laughter. By many relatives and friends she was affectionately known as “Cat.” Education and sharing her wealth of knowledge with others was very important to Catherine. Catherine taught at Grambling State University for thirty-four years in the Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Department. She chaired the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation for a number of years. In 1968 she organized the Delta Psi Kappa Honorary Fraternity for Health, Physical Education and Recreation. Aside from teaching, she is fondly remembered for her love of dancing. Her aesthetic love of dancing resulted in her organizing the famous renowned Grambling State University “Orchesis Dance Troupe,” in 1948. The Orchesis Dance Troupe has been an outstanding ambassador for Grambling State University and Louisiana, while representing the state at performances in Tokyo Japan and throughout America, from New York to California. Dancing under the tutelage of Cat and her successors has afforded many young ladies the opportunity to rise to a level of peak dance performance. Virgie Broussard-Pradia succeeded Cat as the director of the troupe and is an entrepreneur of her own dance studio. Former Orchesis dancer and current Orchesis dance troupe director, Dianne Maroney has performed with the Alvin Ailey Dance Troupe and continues to conduct seminars. Currently several former troupe members are performing with NBA, professional football teams, and other prominent dance troupes. She illustrated her love by passion and pursuit. She was a lifetime member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. In 1944 she was instrumental in organizing Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Rho Sigma Chapter in Minden, Louisiana. In 1948 she initiated the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority chapter at Grambling State University. Her other community activities included the Couple’s Club, Retired Teachers, Links Incorporated, and the Grambling State University Faculty/Staff bowling league. In 1989, Cat was a member of the Grambling State University team that won the Louisiana State Women’s Bowling Championship Team. Preceding her in death were her father and mother, aunts, and sister-in-laws. She leaves to mourn her mother in law, Johnnie B. Williams, sister in law, Georgia Scott, five nephews, and one niece. The one who will be most profoundly deprived of the warmth of her personality and the strength of her character is her beloved husband John. If you wanted to find a woman for all seasons, you found it in the “Legend” Catherine Williams.
Catherine “Cat” Jones Williams was born July 2, 1923 in Minden, Louisiana to the union of the late Joseph L. Jones and Olethia Richardson Jones. At an early age she accepted Christ and was baptized at Saint Rest Baptist Church in Minden, LA. Catherine graduated from Minden High School in Minden, Louisiana. She attended Talladega College in Talladega AL. where she received a Bachelors of Science Degree. Upon completion of her bachelor’s degree she attended New York University completing her Master’s Degree. Cat was united in holy matrimony to John “Porky” Williams of Baton Rouge on November 20, 1960. She worked diligently to provide all things good and wise for her husband. They were not just a wife and husband, but the best of friends sharing many memorable moments of love and laughter. By many relatives and friends she was affectionately known as “Cat.” Education and sharing her wealth of knowledge with others was very important to Catherine. Catherine taught at Grambling State University for thirty-four years in the Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Department. She chaired the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation for a number of years. In 1968 she organized the Delta Psi Kappa Honorary Fraternity for Health, Physical Education and Recreation. Aside from teaching, she is fondly remembered for her love of dancing. Her aesthetic love of dancing resulted in her organizing the famous renowned Grambling State University “Orchesis Dance Troupe,” in 1948. The Orchesis Dance Troupe has been an outstanding ambassador for Grambling State University and Louisiana, while representing the state at performances in Tokyo Japan and throughout America, from New York to California. Dancing under the tutelage of Cat and her successors has afforded many young ladies the opportunity to rise to a level of peak dance performance. Virgie Broussard-Pradia succeeded Cat as the director of the troupe and is an entrepreneur of her own dance studio. Former Orchesis dancer and current Orchesis dance troupe director, Dianne Maroney has performed with the Alvin Ailey Dance Troupe and continues to conduct seminars. Currently several former troupe members are performing with NBA, professional football teams, and other prominent dance troupes. She illustrated her love by passion and pursuit. She was a lifetime member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. In 1944 she was instrumental in organizing Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Rho Sigma Chapter in Minden, Louisiana. In 1948 she initiated the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority chapter at Grambling State University. Her other community activities included the Couple’s Club, Retired Teachers, Links Incorporated, and the Grambling State University Faculty/Staff bowling league. In 1989, Cat was a member of the Grambling State University team that won the Louisiana State Women’s Bowling Championship Team. Preceding her in death were her father and mother, aunts, and sister-in-laws. She leaves to mourn her mother in law, Johnnie B. Williams, sister in law, Georgia Scott, five nephews, and one niece. The one who will be most profoundly deprived of the warmth of her personality and the strength of her character is her beloved husband John. If you wanted to find a woman for all seasons, you found it in the “Legend” Catherine Williams.