Thelma Ann Quarels

Thelma Ann Quarels peacefully transitioned to her eternal rest on September 21, 2025. She made her earthly entrance on November 22, 1954 as the first child born to the union of the late Johnnie Lee Morris, Sr. and Jane Japerlet Wells Morris. Thelma was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.
Thelma attended Florence Chester Elementary, Sylvanie F. Williams Elementary, James Derham Junior High and Booker T. Washington High Schools in the Greater New Orleans area. She participated as a majorette at Derham Junior High. She participated as a singer in the talent show events sponsored by the New Orleans Police Department in the former Calliope Housing Projects of east New Orleans.
Thelma accepted and professed the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at an early age. She was baptized at Mount Abram Missionary Baptist Church in New Orleans. She participated in the choir as a lead singer. Her favorite song was "Blessed Assurance." Thelma had a deep love for the Lord and shared her words of wisdom with many, even if they didn't want to hear it.
Thelma was married to Mathew Williams, Jr., in 1972, and to their union her first son, Mathew III was born. Thelma was widowed within a year. She later gave birth to two more sons, Joel and Stacy. Thelma married the love of her life, James Quarels, and they were together for over twenty years. By court order, James and Thelma became the parents of James' niece-their God-given daughter, Ikeshia Mills. Thelma and James raised the four kids together until she became a widow for the second time in 1996.
Thelma enjoyed cooking, playing bingo, crossword puzzles, playing card games, and watching her favorite television show, Big Brother. She also enjoyed cheering for her New Orleans Saints football team. Thelma enjoyed her life and family until her health began to decline. The last thirteen months of her life were spent in the St. Joseph's Nursing Home and Rehabilitation facility, where Thelma was a resident. She expressed gratitude regularly to the staff at St. Joseph's who took the time to help her during her challenging moments and lived out God's second greatest command that you 'love your neighbor as yourself.'
Preceding her in death were her parents-Johnnie Morris, Sr. and Jane Morris Stewart; late husbands, Mathew Williams, Jr. and James Quarels, respectively; sister Jesina Morris; brother, Broderick Morris, Sr., nephews Gerrell B. Jones and Broderick Morris, Jr.
Thelma leaves to cherish her memory, her sons Mathew Williams III (Vaneka), Joel Williams, and Stacy B. Williams (Denika); daughter Ikeshia Mills; sister Crystal L. Jones (Tommie) of Austin, Texas, brother Johnnie L. Morris, Jr., eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, cousins, longtime friend Clarence Woolford, and a host of other relatives and friends.
A graveside burial will be held on October 25, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. at Providence Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Metairie, Louisiana.