Woman who died while working at Mosaic was ‘devoted mother,’ hard worker

POLK COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) – Jameka Williams had a singular focus.

“Her most intimate time was with her daughter. She made sure that she was her first and foremost priority,” said Dr. Angela J. Clark, pastor at Higher Dimensions Outreach International Church.

Williams grew up in Fort Meade and played on the basketball team in high school.

In the years since, she graduated from college and had her daughter, Ja’Skyler, who is now five years old.

“She was a loving mother and she was a devoted mother to Ja’Skyler,” said Pastor Clark.

Nearly two years ago, Williams followed in the footsteps of some of her family members and started working at Mosaic’s New Wales facility, the fertilizer company’s largest manufacturing plant in Florida.

At 29 years old, Williams was saving up to buy a house.

On Friday, she died in, what authorities say appears to be an industrial accident .

“What this weekend has been like for this family is a great loss,” said Pastor Clark.

Pastor Clark spoke while surrounded by members of Williams’ large, very tight-knit family.

Many were too grief-stricken to speak.

“What we can do, all of us as a community, as a city, as a church family, as a friend is pray for this family, support this family,” said Pastor Clark.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating Williams’ death.

Online records show an unannounced OSHA safety inspection at the New Wales facility took place June 5th, 2024.

That case remains open.

Prior to that, records show the last OSHA safety inspection at that location was in February 2021.

In a statement, Mosaic spokesperson Jackie Barron said the company extended its “deepest condolences” to Williams’ “loved ones and fellow New Wales employees.”

“As a multi-generational, close-knit company, this is a tremendous loss felt across Mosaic. We continue to work with local authorities as the investigation into this incident is ongoing. Please keep all in your prayers at this difficult time,” wrote Barron in the statement.

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