Myra Willis

Our loving mother, Myra Lou Willis, 91 of the Nances Creek Community went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, July 9, 2012. She served with her husband, Rev. Sanford Willis, for 52 years pastoring Congregational Holiness Churches in North Alabama, such as Plainview, Sharon Hill, Limbaugh Chapel, Hall’s Chapel, East Gadsden, Piedmont, Westside and Community.  She was a talented play writer for church and youth programs, a pianist, Sunday School teacher, and was named North Alabama WM’s Mother of the Year in 1997.  She was a foster parent to many children. She was a faithful, charter member of Nances Creek Community Holiness Church and was the oldest lady of the Nances Creek Community.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Dailey and Mattie Harden Rainey; husband: Rev. Sanford Willis; sisters: Ruth Chandler and Grace Womack; brothers: Pete Rainey and Lloyd Rainey; and great grandson: Jamie Ward.

She is survived by 4 sons: Gerald (Frances) Willis, Rev. Floyd (Elsie) Willis, Rev. Stanley (Sandra) Willis, and Jimmy (Melissa) Willis; daughter: Martha (Paul) Hancock;  brother: Ray (Myrtice) Rainey; 16 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; and 4 great, great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 12, 2012 at 2:00 P.M. from Dansby Heritage Chapel with the Revs. Floyd Willis, Stanley Willis, and James Rainey officiating.  Visitation will be from 12 - 2 PM at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Nances Creek Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Chris Willis, Keith Willis, Jeremy Willis, Marlin Willis, Robert Parker, Curtis Parker, Zach Lewis, and Curt Ponder. Honorary Pallbearers will be Gentiva Hospice, (especially Sherry, Lora, Alyssa, Jennifer, and Rev. Charles Rutledge), Dr. Van Martin and staff, Kenneth Law, Jo Graham, Tiffany Morgan, Ms Frances Ward, and Lynn Sayer.

Dansby Heritage Chapel is honored to serve the Willis Family.