ERIK SANZENBACH / L’Observateur / August 22, 2000

VACHERIE – Family, friends, teammates and the parish of St. John theBaptist bid a sad farewell to Rashad Williams at funeral services Monday morning at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Vacherie.

Williams, an 18-year-old East St. John High School student, succumbed lastweek to injuries sustained in a freak drowning accident at a hotel swimming pool in Thibodaux.

Williams, known as “Big Rue” by his friends, was a senior at East St. John anda defensive lineman for the Wildcats football team. Judging by the standing-room only crowd that was two-deep in the rear of the church, Williams’ death will have a long and lasting effect on his school and community.

As gospel songs echoed from the vaulted ceiling of the 100-year-old church, family and friends walked slowly past the open casket.

Fellow students, some dressed in their school uniforms and others dressed for a funeral, stood silent and sad-faced. The East St. John High Schoolfootball team, dressed in their black and yellow football jerseys, sat in two pews behind the Williams family. Most of their heads were bowed and someshoulders were heaving with grief. Other members of the community lookedon with tear-stained faces.

The Rev. Timothy Oubre, who presided over the service, said what was oneverybody’s mind.

“It is always hard when someone so young and vital is taken from us,” Oubre told the congregation. “Rashad was a happy, caring and gentle person, and weare here this morning to turn Rashad over to God.”In a memorial tribute to his friend, Kendrick Gray told the audience, “Rashad was a friend to all he came in contact with and always made each individual feel special with his unique way of getting to know people.”Gray reminded friends and family just how caring and giving Rashad was.

“In Rashad’s finest hour,” Gray said in a low voice, “he still gave of himself by offering the use of his organs so that other families could experience the miracles that happen every day.”Several area ministers from various denominations took the pulpit to extol on Rashad’s exuberance for life, and they extended their hopes and prayers to the Williams family.

Another of Rashad’s friends, Dana Growe, read a poem called “Please Don’t Mourn for Me,” which elicited a round of “amens” and applause.

Finally, after the Mass, Rashad’s casket was brought out of the church into the bright sunshine. Rashad’s brothers, Derrick and Jamar, along with theEast St. John football team were honorary pallbearers. As the wind rustled through the surrounding sugar cane fields, Rashad took his final ride to the cemetery. The hearse followed the football team as theywalked two by two behind Oubre and Lay Minister Lynbert Gros.

As the procession made its way to the church cemetery, the words of Crowe’s poem seemed to float on the wind: “I’m the hot salty tears that flow when you weep and the beautiful dreams that come when you sleep.

I’m the smile you see on a baby’s face.

Just look for me friend, I’m everyplace!”

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