Celebration of Life for

Orean L. Ragland Williams

Sunrise: February 26, 1967 Sunset: December 17, 2018

December 22, 2018

           4:00 pm

W.E. Lusain Funeral Home

629 Goldwire Way S.W.

Birmingham, Alabama 35211

Obituary

Orean Labecca Ragland Williams was born on February 26, 1967, in Birmingham, Alabama. She was the first born of the late Lois Evelyn Ragland and first grandchild and namesake of the late Orean Canada Hardy. Affectionately nicknamed “Kippy” by her large family, Orean thrived, loved life, family, friends and traveling, and was an extraordinary wife, Mother, sister, niece, cousin, friend, and co-worker. She departed this life early Monday morning, December 17, 2018, in the loving arms of her husband Tommy Williams -- the love of her life, soulmate, and devoted caregiver for more than two years.

No one was surprised when the neighborhood tom-boy who collected and dissected insects and read medical books when she was not playing basketball, became a registered nurse. A long-time resident of Slidell, LA, Orean worked more than 20+ years in the behavioral health and psychiatric services field – working at Charity Hospital and Tulane Medical Center. A devoted and exceptional nurse, she was passionate about psychiatry, which came with significant challenges, including the stigma of mental illness and lack of public awareness. Despite these challenges, the intrinsic rewards of psychiatric nursing were abundant for Orean and it was evident whenever she talked about caring for patients and families in need of ongoing psychiatric treatment.

In 2005, Charity Hospital was one of the last hospitals to be evacuated after Hurricane Katrina hit. Orean was there – working around the clock with other nurses and doctors to care for their patients basic needs. After five days without power or assistance – and news channels reporting that the hospital had already been evacuated, the staff of Charity took matters into their own hands including orchestrating the evacuation of patients from a parking garage rooftop. Charity Hospital never re-opened after Katrina. Orean worked tirelessly after the evacuation to ensure that her patients were transferred to facilities that provided the psychiatric services needed. That was indeed our Kippy, our dear Kip – dedicated, caring, patient, and kind. One of the many S/heroes of Charity Hospital.

Orean is survived by her husband, Tommy, older son, Anthony Jarrel Williams, and brother, Jermaine A. Ragland; Mother-in-Law, Ms. Shirley Williams; Brother-in-Law, Hashim Williams; Sister-in-Laws, Tammy, Angelia, and Sojourner Williams; Uncles, Charles(Diane) Rutledge, and Herbert and LeVaughn (Sensoray) Hardy; Aunts, Dr. Vanessa Ragland, and Patchular and Frances Hardy; and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins and other relatives. She was preceded in death by and is now reunited with her mother and young son Zachary David Williams.

Order of Service

Invocation...........W. Eric Lusain

Scripture Readings...........Mr. Kenneth D. Dabney
       Old Testament
       New Testament

Musical Selection - CeCe Winans "Dont Cry For Me"

Reading of the Obituary (silently)  
Expressions and Fond Remembrances............Family and Friends

Eulogy.............Dr. Robert Cain

Closing Prayer.............Mr. Kenneth D. Dabney

Benediction...............W. Eric Lusain

Acknowledgments

The family of Orean Labecca Ragland Williams would like to take this opportunity to extend sincere appreciation to everyone for the many kind expressions of sympathy. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

Afterglow

I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one.

I’d like to leave an after glow

of smiles when life is done.

I’d like to leave an echo

whispering softly down the ways,

Of happy times

and laughing times

and bright and sunny days.

I’d like the tears of those who grieve,

to dry before the sun;

Of happy memories that I leave

when life is done.