Willa Faris Kral

Willa Faris Kral passed away in Dallas on August 3, 2025 at the age of 94 after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease. She had maintained a sharp mind until about 2 years before her death, and continued to recognize visitors until shortly before the end.

Willa was born Willae Mae Faris in Weatherford, TX on September 14, 1930, the firstborn child of Reuben Faris and Elsie Faris (nee King). During Willa's early school years, the family moved to Lubbock. Willa attended Lubbock public schools and was a gifted student, graduating from Lubbock High at the age of 16. She enrolled at Texas Tech in 1947, graduating in 1951. At Tech she met the love of her life, Bob Kral, whom she married in 1954. She was a devout, lifelong member of the Methodist Church, and served for an extended time as a Home Missionary in Chattanooga, TN following her graduation and preceding her marriage. At Tech, she was an active member of the Wesley Center, where she and Bob made many lifelong friends. After their marriage, the couple lived for a time in Fort Worth, where Bob was stationed at Carswell Air Base. Their firstborn children, Edward Lee and Edith Jeanette, were born a few minutes apart in Fort Worth in 1955. After Bob completed his Air Force service, the family moved to West Texas where Bob began his career in the Soil Conservation Service and Willa devoted her time to her family and church. She served for many years as the secretary for First Methodist Church in Crosbyton. Their youngest child, Robert Jr. (Robin), was born in Crosbyton in 1958. During their time in Crosbyton, Willa began earning her teaching certificate and when the family moved to Lamesa, TX in 1969 she began her career as an educator. By the time the family moved to Corsicana, TX in 1973 she had earned her certification as a reading specialist and taught at Fannin Elementary for many years until her retirement. She was a wonderful teacher, making many close friends among her colleagues and forming lasting attachments with many of her students. She and Bob resided in Corsicana for 51 years until Bob's death in 2024.

Willa was highly intelligent, endowed with a wonderful memory that allowed her to quote at length from Shakespeare based on her studies in college. She was a wonderful mother, a kind and forgiving person, a true Christian, and blessed with an abundant sense of humor. Among her many talents, she was a superb cook and a dedicated gardener. She also was devoted to exploring genealogy, and wrote detailed histories of the Faris/King family and the Kral family. She and Bob loved nature, music and history, and inculcated that love into their children. They took the children on many memorable vacations across the United States, and after their retirement they traveled widely in North America and took one memorable trip to the United Kingdom. They truly enjoyed life, even when their health began to fail and they could no longer travel.

Willa was preceded in death by Bob, her son Lee, and her younger brother Pat Faris. She is survived by her children Robin Kral (wife Rachel) and Jeanette Gordon, her grandchildren Katie Worthington (husband Dalton), Andrew Gordon, Kyle Dawson Crittenden, Graham Kral, and Thomas Kral, her great-grandson Gabriel Worthington, sister-in-law Julie Faris, cousin Don Farris, many nieces and nephews, and countless friends. She will be truly missed by all who knew her. Those who are so moved are encouraged to contribute memorial gifts to the Heifer Project, Methodist Home, United Methodist Committee on Relief, or the charity of your choice.

In accordance with Willa's wishes, no funeral is planned. A celebration of her life, to be held at First Methodist Church in Corsicana, will be announced at a later time.