Rita Williams

Rita Roccella Williams, age 88, of Pleasant Grove passed away February 2, 2026 at her residence. Rita was a loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother. A woman of Faith who loved Jesus and Mother Mary. She was the youngest of 9 Children, born and raised in Naples Italy. She met her husband Charles while he was serving in the Navy stationed in Italy. Rita and Charles toured Italy for a month while on their honeymoon and rang the bell at the Leaning Tower of Pisa in celebration of their nuptials. During her husband’s career in the Navy; Rita, Charles and their three children spent many years overseas at various Naval installations to include Iceland, Spain, Morocco and Germany. Upon moving to Birmingham Rita was embraced by and cherished her relationships with the Robino Family and the Italian/American community. Rita was very patriotic, had a great sense of humor, loved animals, and was an accomplished cook that enjoyed sharing her meals with others. In her home community of Pleasant Grove AL, Rita was known to many as the generous and compassionate Italian Lady who loved to take long walks and socialize with friends. 

Rita is predeceased by her parents, Angelo Raffaele Roccella and Maria Raffaela DeSimone Roccella; husband, Charles Donald Williams, Sr.; grandson, David I. Purple; sister, Cristina Roccella, Dora Gresham, Asunta Roccella, and Pia Lamp; brothers, Gigi Roccella, Gino Roccella, Antonio Roccella and Aldo Roccella. Left to cherish her memory are her loving children, Charles D. Williams, Jr., Dora Christina Purple and Dianne Moore (Ray); granddaughters, Lauren Moore and Marina Moore; great grandchildren, Elora, Azriel and Willow Purple and Noella Hedding; nieces and nephews, Lello Roccella, Tonino Roccella, Aldo Roccella, Rosaria Roccella, Loredana Roccella, Remo Roccella, Dave Simpson, Debra Walther and her nieces and nephews who taught her English, enjoyed her cooking and have many stories to share of their aunt Rita; Skip Williams, Loray Bowman, Lynn Shotts, Lea Blackwell, Jackie Williams (deceased), Mary Jack Miller, Tommy Williams, Tam Varnon, Mike McMurry and Pat McMurry.

A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, February 6, 2026 beginning at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Adamsville with Father Anthony Weiss officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service. Interment will follow in Forest Grove Memorial Gardens, 1498 5th Avenue Pleasant Grove, Al 35127. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 1999 Memphis, TN 38101 or 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Patterson-Forest Grove Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Williams family during their time of bereavement. Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.pattersonfuneralhomes.com