Sara Young Willis

Sara Young Willis -MACON, GA - Mrs. Sara Young Willis, 91, passed away Friday, May 25, 2007, at her residence. Funeral services will be held at 2P.M. on Monday, May 28, 2007 at Liberty United Methodist Church in Macon, with interment in the Liberty United Methodist Church Cemetery. The officiants will be Rev. Bob Norwood, Dr. Laudis H. "Rick" Lanford, and Dr. William "Billy" Oliver. The family will greet friends from 4:00 until 6:00 P.M. on Sunday afternoon at the funeral home. -Mrs. Willis was born August 12, 1915, on Sardis Church Road to Lucy Saphronia McLeod Young and James Wingfield Young. She attended the old Rutland High School and graduated with honors from Miller High School for Girls in 1933. She graduated from North Georgia College in 1935 with a two-year degree, and later received her four-year teaching degree in Education from Mercer University. -In the 1936-37 school year, Mrs. Willis became a first grade teacher at Dr. John H. Heard School. She taught several generations of children for forty five years, retiring in 1981. Mrs. Willis was always highly regarded by all of her peers, and received numerous teaching awards. -Mrs. Willis was a life-long member of Liberty United Methodist Church, serving as a teacher for several adult Sunday School classes including the Lucy Young Class, named for her mother, and the Fellowship Class. -She served as Chairman of Liberty's Staff-Parish Committee for twenty-five years, and was honored upon her retirement from that position. -On June 30, 2004 the Bibb County Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution naming a new park on Houston Road in her honor. A Reunion Reception attended by many former students was held at Liberty United Methodist Church on July 24, 2004. -Mrs. Willis was preceded in death by her husband, W. Jack Willis, one sister and two brothers. -Survivors include her sister-in-law, Martha Sorrells Young Hymerling (Joseph) of Macon; niece, Marsha Young Johnston (Mike) of Albany; nephews, Benjamin C. Puckett, Jr. (Elizabeth) of Macon, Allen M. Young (Lynn) of Folkston, David W. Young (Deceased) and his widow, Lyn Sessions Young of Macon. She is also survived by several great nieces and nephews, Benjamin R. Puckett (Derita), Deborah E. Puckett, Laura P. Bell (Steve), Angela P. Freeman (Allen), Allison J. Craft (Ken), Suzanne J. Perrine (Steve), Travis W. Young (Sue), Jonathan D. Young (Jennifer), Gavin M. Young (Shelley), fourteen great-grand nieces and nephews; special friend Pearline Moore, and her wonderful caregivers. -Memorial contributions may be made to Liberty United Methodist Church, the Sara Young Willis Memorial Fund, 6511 Houston Road, Macon, GA 31216. -Visit www.mem.com to express tributes. -Snow's Memorial Chapel, Pio Nono Avenue, has charge of arrangements. Sara Willis