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Essie May Theresa Mary Willis Cannon

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Lincoln High School Marquette University

FUNERAL HOME

Diehl-Whittaker Funeral | Cremation Services

1370 East Main Street

Columbus, Ohio

Essie Cannon Obituary

Cannon Essie May Theresa Mary Willis Cannon was born on November 4, 1929 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She was the ninth and youngest child of John Robert Willis, Sr. and Georgia A. Harris. Mrs. Cannon passed away on October 11, 2016. Mrs. Cannon was raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where she attended Lincoln High School. Mrs. Cannon attended Marquette University, where she graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish. She began her family in Buffalo, New York after marrying W. Wallace Cannon, Jr. on January 2, 1954. They welcomed Reggie (1954), Pete (1956), and Robert (1958). In 1959, the family moved to Columbus, Ohio and added to the family with Steve (1962) and Phil (1964). In Columbus, Mrs. Cannon became a longtime resident in the Shepard Community. Mrs. Cannon believed in volunteerism and service. She served the Columbus community in many capacities. A longtime member of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, she served on the Parish Council; as Lector; as Eucharistic Minister; as English language tutor and as a Greeter. Mrs. Cannon was a member of the regular choir and the Funeral Choir. She served the hungry at the Pope John XXIII Food Kitchen. Mrs. Cannon is survived by her dear sons, W. Reginald (Duan), Peter Michael (Victoria Stewart), Robert Willis (Karen), Stephen Christopher (Alison), and Phillip Alan (Dr. Roechelle Smith); eight beloved grandchildren; two wonderful great granddaughters; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends. The Cannon Family will receive friends on Monday, October 17 from 6-8 p.m. in the chapel at DIEHL-WHITTAKER FUNERAL SERVICE, 720 East Long Street, Columbus, OH. Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, October 18 at 11 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 2692 East 5th Avenue, Columbus, OH. Fr. Mike Gentry, Celebrant. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery in Milwaukee, WI. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mrs. Cannon's memory may be made payable to St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 2692 East 5th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43219; or to Marquette University, University Advancement, 1250 W. Wisconsin Avenue, P.O. Box 1881, Milwaukee, WI 53201-1881.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Columbus Dispatch from Oct. 14 to Oct. 16, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Essie Cannon

18 Entries

Adlai (Nancy)

October 8, 2023

Remembering Mrs. Cannon today as an inspiring matriarch. I have fond memories of my time in the family home, 50 years ago.
I know that all of her family and everyone who loved her continues to miss her.

Rhonda Williams Evans

October 8, 2019

I always looked forward to seeing Essie and speaking with her during meetings of organizations in which we both belonged. She is still missed and loved!

Donnita Carroll Pritchard, Esquire

October 26, 2016

I extend my sympathy to the Cannon family. I will miss Soror Cannon. She was a joy and inspiration! While attending Eastmoor Senior High School I met Peter and he was a tribute to a strong bright women. I am sure she is walking around heaven today!

Michael Williams & Family

October 25, 2016

Our condolences and prayers go out to the Cannon Family.

Robert & Rhonda Evans

October 25, 2016

Our love to the Cannon family. We will miss Essie, a life-long, dear family friend.

Dawn Hayward

October 20, 2016

I'm going to miss my talks with my Great Aunt Essie. She was a beautiful woman. I miss her already. God bless the family.

Eddie and Cheryl (Foster) Bowens & Family

October 19, 2016

Reggie, Peter, Robert, Steve, Phil and the rest of the Cannon/Willis Family...

On behalf of the Eddie L. Bowens Family of Middle, TN, I offer our sincere condolences and loving prayers during this painful time of bereavement due to the loss of Ms. Cannon.

Eddie and I only had the pleasure of sporadic encounters with her...most often at Cannon Family Reunions. We both agree that she made our family feel like "real" members of the Cannon Family! We will truly miss her at future reunions.
Her love for her family, especially 'her sons' was genuine, deep and so evident! And it seemed evident how much her sons loved her. I pray that this mutual love will sustain you guys and ease the pain of her physical absence. Know that your love for her; and hers for you supersedes the physical! Continue to bask in that love and cherish the memories...
Sometimes they will make you cry; and other times they will make you smile!
May you learn to use both scenarios for healing.

With God's love...

October 18, 2016

Essie was a grand lady whose devotion to Christian ideals showed through in her daily contact with her church family and in so many other ways. We'll miss her warm smiles and her so sincere greetings of peace during liturgy. Joe and Pat Gibboney St Thomas Church

Tanita Toliver

October 18, 2016

We extend our sincere sympathies to the Cannon family with the passing of Essie Cannon. She was a wonderful aunt and a gracious person with a very sweet spirit. She touched many lives in such a special way.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and we pray that many warm memories of her will sustain them. The Tolivers - Frank, Logan and her niece,

Eva Banks

October 17, 2016

Essie, you are already greatly missed, but happily you and Mr. Wallace are together again.

October 17, 2016

Our deepest sympathy. May God Almighty comfort your family.

Adlai (Nancy) Neubauer

October 16, 2016

My sympathies to the entire Cannon family on the loss of your mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. I have fond memories of often visiting the Cannon's N. Nelson Rd. home 45+ years ago. I live in the neighborhood and drive past there frequently and always remember how welcomed I was by both of Peter's parents.

Regina Cobb

October 16, 2016

To the family of Essie Cannon,
Words are truly insufficient to express our sadness at the passing of Essie Cannon. She was such a joy and inspiration to be around.
Although she's gone from our presence, she will forever remain in our hearts.
We deeply regret that we cannot be there with the rest of the family to celebrate her homegoing.
With deepest sympathy & love,
Your sister-in-law, Mary Cannon Payne, Woodruff, SC, and your niece,

Trent (Cora) Clark

October 16, 2016

To the Cannon Family,

You all are in our Prayers for Peace, Comfort, and Blessings.

Growing up, I spent a lot of time with the Cannons and got to know Mrs. Cannon very well. She was always active in the neighborhood, the PTA, even the successful Committee to stop I-670 from coming through St. Mary's and Shepard. While she will be missed, what a Blessing it is to have known her.
.
.
-Trent

Patricia Huffman

October 15, 2016

What a blessing Essie has been to all of her St Thomas the Apostle community. It is a deep loss for us, but we know that she's smiling on us and praying for us as we pray for her.

Helen Wells

October 15, 2016

To the Cannon family--
My heart goes out to you all for your loss.I will keep you all in my prayers.

Essie and her camel at the Bedouin camp, Israel. Essie will be remembered for her sweet nature and happy nature. Her Pilgrimage friends & I are blest.

Susie Kilbarger

October 14, 2016

Rosie Uhrig

October 14, 2016

To all of the Cannon family--
Our hearts go out to you at the loss of your dear Essie. She has blessed so many in so many ways throughout her years. We have enjoyed her voice from the choir loft, her readings from the pulpit, and the next seat over in the pew at Saint Thomas. We have enjoyed her smile, her witness, her love. We are grateful. Be comforted by the embrace of her love now and that of all those whose lives are better because Essie has been a part of them.
--Rosie Uhrig, David Ramey, Alex and Elizabeth Marsch Vu

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