Laraine

Williams

Larraine  Williams was affectionately called "Rainey" by most, but to her father she was his  "Rainbow."

She is the third of four children born to Fred Sr. and Minnie B. Williams, on May 7, 1948.   She departed this life quietly and peacefully on Thursday, December 1, 2022. Coincidentally,  her day of passing was also her mother's birthday.  Larraine, a lifetime resident of Englewood, NJ, attended and graduated from Dwight Morrow High School.  A few short years later she met and married Bob Ratliff. From their union Larraine gave birth to their son, Michael.

Beyond the love she had for her son, Larraine loved to draw.  She always drew sketches of Disney characters, praying hands and various other pictures.  For every niece and nephew born, aunt Rainey would gift them with a piece of her art.  It was always easy to know what to buy her as a present because she was always at work creating new pieces for sure to be given to someone she cared about.

Larraine was fiercely independent, determined to live life on her own terms and without asking anyone for help as much as possible.  Her laugh was infectious and  she enjoyed a good time especially those shared with her siblings, nieces and nephews.  She loved to shop and could often be seen walking through town to Shoprite or off to peruse her favorite art store for more supplies.

Just as the country went into 'lockdown' because of the pandemic, Larraine became seriously ill. While all things she enjoyed doing daily became irrevocably impossible, She often responded as best she could when her niece Lillian and brother Fred called or visited.  She was not slow in blinking her eyes and emitting sounds to let them know she could hear, she was listening and she was responding.

Larriane is predeceased by her husband Bob Ratliff, parents Fred A. Sr. & Minnie B. Williams,   maternal grandmother Minnie (Ma Min) Zachary, siblings; Claude ('Cha-Cha") L. Williams and Ruthann Pettway, as well as a beloved nephew, Kermit Thomas Jr.

Left to cherish her memory she leaves her son, Michael Ratliff, Englewood, NJ,  youngest brother, Fred A.(Joan) Williams Jr, of Rochelle Park, NJ. Nieces: Zonjah Crawford, Englewood, NJ, Claudia (Patrick) Williams , Conyers, GA., Lillian Thomas, Columbia, SC, Kristall (Martin) Calderon, Hackensack, NJ, Great Nieces & Nephews: Marquis Crawford Englewood, NJ, Paris (Brandon) Duffie,Newnan GA, Anntoine (Tristan) Thomas, Blythewood, SC, Danelle Starks, Columbia, SC, Christina Harris, Englewood, NJ, Kevon Majors, Englewood, NJ, Andarra Thomas, Bergenfield, NJ, Colin Thomas, TX. and Martin A. Calderon Jr., Hackensack, NJ.

She will always be remembered by her extended family of cousins and friends with love.