Righton Willis

WILLIS, Righton C.

Righton C. Willis, a longtime resident of Atlanta passed away Sunday, January 25, 2026 from a stroke at the age of 81.

She was born September 18, 1944 at the Naval Air Station San Diego, California, to William A. Willis and Emily Magid Willis. With Righton's father being in the US Marine Corps, the family moved to many military bases, including Pearl Harbor, Guam, Camp Pendleton, Fort Leavenworth, Cherry Point and Camp Lejeune NC. After her father retired in 1957, the family settled in Miami, FL.

Righton went to Miami Edison, Sr. High School, and graduated in 1962. She then went to the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, was a member of Alpha Chi Omega, and graduated in 1966. After UF, Righton went to Emory Medical School in Atlanta for a post graduate degree in Speech Pathology.

She will be remembered for her stylish clothes, quick wit, sense of humor, generosity and creativity. She was a confidant and steady friend throughout her adult life - someone who listened without judgment, offered wisdom without force, and loved without condition. Righton was bright, beautiful, and warm, never too busy to hear out a friend. She was an avid lifetime Gator football fan. She was known as 'Sister' by her many childhood friends.

Righton worked as a school teacher and speech pathologist in Atlanta. She then worked for Southern Bell and AT&T, Harry Norman Realtors and later was Associate Broker and co-owner of a commercial real estate firm in Atlanta.

She found comfort in volunteering for animal rescue groups Lifeline Animal Project and Planned Pethood, especially saving cats.

Righton was a member of DAR and Victoria Estates Garden Club and had many friendships. She was a prolific reader - usually a book a week. She enjoyed foreign travel with her husband Paul R. Stabler who she married in 2006. She also enjoyed dancing.

She is survived by her sister, Missy (Harvey) Ziegler, of Gainesville, FL; her nieces, Andrea (Marcus) Fresco, of Miami, their children, Brycen and Devin, Cynthia (Bill) Mealer, of Birmingham, AL, their children, Katie and Will; her husband, Paul R. Stabler, of Atlanta; brother-in-law, John (Layne) Stabler, of Atlanta, their children Travis, Sam, and Camille. She loved all her family and extended family.

A memorial service will not be held.

To honor Righton's life and memory, please consider any donation to www.pethoodga.org by clicking 'Donate' and making a contribution to help save pet lives and bring hope.