Lafreda Annquenette Williams

Lafreda Annquenette Williams was born June 24th, 1962, to parents Luthern Williams, Sr. and Ruby Nell Williams, Lafreda was the second of their five children and the oldest girl. Lafreda was a tower of strength. She led her life her way, until the very end, and she never allowed the perceptions of others to limit her. She had the courage to defy expectations. Because she was an exceptionally beautiful woman(she could have been a high fashion model and was frequently approached to pursue this profession), people often underestimated her other qualities. In high school, she was an outstanding track and field athlete. She always was chosen to anchor the 4X400 meter relay because the coach knew she had the most heart: she would leave all she had to give on the track because she feared no one, and she was intimidated by no one.

She also defied people's expectations in her career. As a stunning woman, people assumed she would simply marry a man and stay at home. She did marry Larry Carlton, Sr. However, she went to cosmetology school, and surprised everyone (as she had never considered herself a good student) by acing her courses and passing the California licensing examination on her first try. In addition, she not only proved herself an excellent employee at Supercuts but also ascended to regional manager, and earned an A.A. degree. Once she chose a goal, she was going to achieve it.

Despite her success and own professional ambitions, she ultimately gave up her career because she wanted to devote herself to her children she had with her former husband Larry Carlton, Sr.: Keith, Andrina, Larry, Jr., Nicole, and Dawnchelle. She had always been a natural mother, taking care of her baby brother, Luthern, when his mother brought him home. As she told her mother, “You have your babies, and he is my baby.” In fact, her Aunt Orina, gave her the nickname “Mawmaw.” She instinctively knew that she needed to be home to help give her beloved children the foundation of love, nurturing, education, and values that would enable them to pursue their own dreams. They were her life and her hope. In their critical formative years, she invested all she had into them. She excelled in this task, which is reflected in the educated, intelligent, confident, compassionate, and ambitious people they have become.

She not only mothered and nurtured her children but also cared for her parents. When her father was sick with cancer, she immediately moved into her parents home to help her mother care for her father. When her mother suffered from Alzheimers, she attended to her every need although Freda was very ill, and she became her mother’s best friend. She sacrificed for her family without question, without complaint, and without the need for praise. She loved her family.

Even in her battle with cancer, she defied expectations, relying on her unwavering faith in God, which gave her an indomitable will. She was told in 2017 that she would live for six months, yet she lived for seven years, and she did it her way. During this period, she maintained her optimism, and she never complained or became bitter. It was nearly impossible to know when she was really ill because she soldiered on courageously and gracefully through the suffering. She did not allow her condition to bow her.

Until her God called her, she refused to leave this world until she could no longer be independent and do for herself. Until she could not communicate, she always kept it real, telling you exactly and honestly what she felt and what she was going to do and not going to do. There was no pretense, just authenticity and unyielding resolve.

She leaves to cherish her memories: her sister, Shiletha Hancik; her sister, Sheila Allmond: her brother, Luthern Williams, Jr.; her sister, Loni Williams; her children, Dawnchelle Holmes; Nicole Wilson; Larry Carlton, Jr.; Andrina Carlton; and Keith Carlton, and 5 grandchildren,

She was preceded in death by her parents, Luthern and Ruby Williams.; her sister, Denise Williams; her brother, Mitchell Williams; and her brother, Larry Williams.