Penny Willis

Penny Willis, 52, of Smyrna, North Carolina, passed away on Monday, March 11, 2024, at her home.

A memorial service to honor Penny’s life will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, March 17th at Munden Funeral Home, officiated by Rev. Nelson Koonce. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. For those unable to attend, the service can be viewed through her obituary page on Munden Funeral Home’s website. The service will remain on the Funeral Home website for 90 days.

Penny was born November 6, 1971, in Morehead City, NC, to the late Tony and Dollie Gray. She was the apple of her daddy's eye, her being his first girl after having 5 boys. 

Penny was a sweet and loving wife to Bobby Wayne “Shortie” Willis, and they would have been married 28 years on April 6th. Although they never had children of their own, they adopted her nephew Jakob, and nieces McKenzie and Madison and loved them like they were her own. She dedicated herself to her family and struggled to live for them. She bravely battled cancer for the past three years without complaint and Shortie dedicated himself to her care. She knew she was loved by the many relatives and friends who supported her in so many ways.

Penny was very easy going and her beautiful personality made her a person that everyone loved. She will be remembered as an excellent cook as she spent years cooking at Snug Harbor in Sea Level. No matter what she cooked, you knew it was going to be good. Penny loved traveling with her family and friends. She especially loved the trips to the mountains when the family would rent cabins or campsites and spend time cooking, going to the various shows, and enjoying the beautiful foliage. 

Penny, although quiet by nature, would light up a room with her smile and beautiful blue eyes. She brought joy to those around her, and we will cherish the memories she helped us create.

Those remaining to cherish her memory are her husband, Bobby Wayne “Shortie” Willis, son, Jakob Brewer and daughters, Madison and McKenzie Brewer, all of Smyrna, NC; 6 brothers, Michael Gray (Tanya) of Smyrna, NC, Tony Gray (Maria) of Penn Yan, NY, Kenneth Gray of Prattsburgh, NY, David Gray of Long Island, NY, Dale Gray (Stacey) of Canandaigua, NY, and Corey Lupfer (Lori) of Smyrna, NC; brother-in-law, William Jeremy Willis (Janine) of Mt. Holly, NC; and several aunts and uncles, Juanita Baca (Glen) of Morehead City, NC, Gordie Mason (Jeannie) of Newport, NC, Shirley Mason of New Bern, NC, Joyce Gaskill (Kevin) of Stacy, NC, Perry Mason of Beaufort, NC, Phillip Mason (Kendra) of Atlantic, NC and Paula Howington (Daniel) of Beaufort.

Penny was preceded in death by her parents, Tony Wayne Gray and Dollie Gray; maternal grandparents, Primrose and Van Meta Mason; and paternal grandparents, Rutherford and Lydia Gray.

Memorial contributions may be made to assist the family with funeral expenses by clicking here.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.