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IRIS WILLIS Obituary
PORTSMOUTH, Va. - Iris Olive Willis, 99, passed away Friday, Nov. 1, 2013. She was born in Ararat, Va., to the late Alfred and Emma Dawson. She was a talented poet, artist and a self-taught taxidermist. She received her GED at age 64 and continued her education by learning to write and speak Hebrew. She is predeceased by her husband, Charlie Monroe Willis; a daughter, Lucille Willis; a son, Leondard Willis; two sisters; and a brother. She is survived by a daughter, Loretta Marshall and husband, Billy; three sons, Lowell Willis and wife, Phyllis, Lloyd Willis, and Wayne Willis; a daughter-in-law, Loretta Willis; a brother, Everett Dawson; 14 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013, at Sturtevant Funeral Home, Portsmouth Boulevard Chapel. Burial will follow in Olive Branch Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. www.SturtevantFuneralHome.com
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Memories and Condolences
for IRIS WILLIS
JUDY BAILEY
November 11, 2013
I never had the privilege to meet Iris, but I have read many of her beautiful, heartfelt poems. Through her poems you can sense the love she held in her heart for her Jesus, her Lord and Savior. Loretta, I just seen this tonight, I know she was ready for her heavenly Home. Our thoughts and prayers for all of you.
Laura Thorn-Treadaway
November 8, 2013
our condolences to you and your family. I love you cousin
E.B. & Betty Jones
November 7, 2013
Our deepest sympathy goes out to Loretta and family. We know she will be greatly missed. We enjoyed several of her poems over the years. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
E.B. & Betty Jones
November 7, 2013
Our deepest sympathy goes out to Loretta and family. We know she will be greatly missed. We enjoyed several of her poems over the years. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
E.B. & Betty Jones
November 7, 2013
Our deepest sympathy goes out to Loretta and family. We know she will be greatly missed. We enjoyed several of her poems over the years. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
EB & Betty Jones
November 7, 2013
Our deepest sympathy goes out to Loretta and family. We know she will be greatly missed. We enjoyed several of her poems over the years. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Loren Knapp
November 7, 2013
The deepest sympathies can not even begin to express the loss of this great person, Iris Willis, but knowing that we shall see her again someday is what makes us smile through the tears. She welcomed me with open arms into this family and she will welcome us all with open arms when we drop anchor and go ashore for the last time.
Ray and Cathy Harris
November 6, 2013
Sending our deepest sympathy to the family. (Junior and Doris Harris' son and daughter-in-law).
Phyllis,Bobby Ayers
November 4, 2013
Our deepest,heartfelt sympathy to all the family. Brandon adored his Grandmother and often spoke of her great talents. Love to all,Phyllis and Bobby Ayers ( Cheryl Ayers' parents)
Lillian Atkins
November 4, 2013
What a precious angel we now have to look over us. With the death of Iris, a mountain of family history and stories have passed. My daughter will miss being called Nancy Scarlett on every visit. Iris will be so deeply missed. Love to you all.
Joyce Gallop-Barkel
November 4, 2013
Heartfelt condolences to Loretta and Wayne.
Bernie Kirsch
November 3, 2013
My deepest sympathy to Loretta and Wayne. You are so fortunate to have had this marvelous woman in your life for so many years.
_______________________
Our revels now are ended. These our actors,
As I foretold you, were all spirits and
Are melted into air, into thin air:
And, like the baseless fabric of this vision,
The cloud-capp'd towers, the gorgeous palaces,
The solemn temples, the great globe itself,
Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve
And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,
Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff
As dreams are made on, and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep.
William Shakespeare
From The Tempest, Act 4 Scene 1
clinton and gaye mcmillian
November 3, 2013
So sorry for your loss
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Funeral services provided by:
Sturtevant Funeral Home - Portsmouth Boulevard Chapel5201 Portsmouth Blvd, Portsmouth, VA 23701
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