The world lost a shining presence and Double Bubble Bubblegum lost one of its best customers on Sunday, October 09, 2022, when Annette Wills Russell Ross of Roswell, GA died at the age of 62 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born in Brownsville TN, on September 20, 1960, to W.D. (Dub) Wills and Monie Taylor Wills, Annette and her parents moved to Decatur IL when she was a young girl. A lover of books, she excelled at school and loved learning new things. She graduated from Lakeview High School in 1978 and from Millikin University in 1982 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology.
The oldest of five children, Annette was not only a leader but a fierce protector of everyone around her. Those closest to her would describe her as giving to a fault, often putting the needs of others before herself; she would respond that that is just the way she showed love.
At 22, she met a Navy man, Verle Russell. The two fell in love through the letters they wrote to each other while Verle was deployed; they married in 1983. Once married, Annette moved to Japan where Verle was stationed, sparking her lifelong love for travel. The pair were married for 23 years and had three children: Michael, Michelle, and Erin. Annette's children were the center of her world.
In 2007, Annette moved to Atlanta, Georgia "ready for something new". Her time in Atlanta was filled with new friendships and new experiences. She developed a love for makeup and started collecting purses, curating a collection that could rival a department store. She loved thrifting and antiquing. She went camping and cruising with her youngest daughter and traveled the world with her friends. She enjoyed festivals, live theater, and concerts. She was almost never available on weekends-she lived each day in exactly the way she wanted.
Always looking for a new challenge, Annette began managing and flipping real estate. Her most recent design was a four-bedroom home that is currently being built in Atlanta's historic West End neighborhood. Her dream was to provide affordable housing for low-income families in Georgia.
Annette was thrilled when she became a "Nana". When she wasn't exploring new countries or hanging with friends she could be found on the couch with her grandchildren. She learned the difference between DC and Marvel superheroes from her grandsons and "cooked" with her granddaughter in her pretend kitchen set.
In 2021, she met her new husband, Evvie Ross. After a whirlwind romance the two were married in June. The two shared a passion for God and prayed together, nightly. Although their time together was short, Evvie says that he is "thankful for every moment that [he] had with her."
Annette is survived by her husband Dr. Evvie Ross of Roswell, GA; son Michael (Syreeta) Russell of Milwaukee, WI, daughters Michelle (Michael) Robateau of Marietta, GA, Erin Russell of Roswell, GA; her mother Monie Wills of Decatur, IL; her siblings Cathy (Kenny) Hightower of Pensacola, FL, Clarence Wills of Decatur, IL, Brenda (Jeff) Robinson of Peoria Heights, IL, and Anthony Wills of Belleville, IL, her grandchildren, Kayden, Mason, Micah, Michael, Michaela, and Miles; and a host of nieces and nephews. She also leaves the Bates family, Taylor family and a host of friends. She is preceded in death by her father, WD Wills.