Barbara Ricardo Williams of Lithonia, Georgia passed away October 8, 2024. The Donaldsonville, Louisiana native was the daughter of the late Walter Spencer Ricardo and Corinne Augusta Ricardo. Barbara had her early education in Ascension Parish Schools and graduated from Southern University where she served as Southern University Pelican Relay Queen. She then earned her Master’s Degree in Education from Atlanta University. Mrs. Williams started her teaching career in Ascension Parish Schools prior to her 30 plus year career with Dekalb County School District in Georgia. Barbara enjoyed gardening and especially designing the landscape of her own yard. She took a lot of pride in the appearance of her home and personally designed and installed a customized deck with an outdoor kitchen as well as a custom garden pond. Barbara enjoyed extensive domestic travel and touring the country by automobile, especially old western and historic cities.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Walter S. Ricardo, Jr., Charles R. Ricardo, Sr. and Ralph E. Ricardo, Sr.; and grandniece, Corrine Ricardo. Barbara is survived by her husband of 32 years, Michael N. Williams; brother, Wayne C. Ricardo; sister, Eleanor Ricardo Young, Sister in law, Doris R. Ricardo; nephews, Charles R. Ricardo, Jr., Wayne C. Ricardo, Jr., and Ralph E. Ricardo, Jr. (Shannon); nieces, Iris R. Shanklin (Lionel), Sharon R. Gunn, and Carol Joy Ricardo; grandnephews, Wayne Ricardo, III, Stephen Gunn, II, and Lionel Shanklin; grandnieces, Kynnidi Ricardo, Tova Ricardo, and Zoe Ricardo; and step-daughters, Sherri Williams and Britney “Lee” Williams.
The family will receive friends in Atlanta on Saturday, October 12, 2024 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at H.M. Patterson and Son, Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Road, NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30328. The family will receive friends in Donaldsonville on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Ourso Funeral Home, 134 Houmas Street, Donaldsonville, LA 70346. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Luke AME Church, 300 Oak Street, Donaldsonville, LA 70346. Entombment will follow at Ascension of Our Lord Catholic Mausoleum.
