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Nell Willis Obituary
Mrs. Willis was born in Rome, GA, on November 12, 1944, daughter of the late Lewis Alton Dempsey and the late Alma Mariah Herrin Dempsey. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Paul Wesley Willis. Mrs. Willis was a graduate of Pepperell High School. She worked for Temple-Inland (now International Paper) for over 30 years before her retirement where she worked as a switchboard operator, receptionist and a benefits coordinator. Mrs. Willis loved to travel with her husband, with a special affinity for cruises, and loved spending time with friends. She was a member of Hollywood Baptist Church for her entire life and taught the 1st grade Sunday School class for approximately 40 years where she influenced countless lives and tirelessly worked for the Kingdom of God. For the last year, she has resided in an assisted living facility in Nashville close to her daughter. The friendships she made at the Bridge at Hickory Woods were so special to her in her final days before being ushered into the presence of her Savior, Jesus Christ.
Survivors include her 2 daughters, Jill Webb (Kevin), Antioch, TN, and Jan Sams (Mark), Lindale; a grandson, Shawn Thacker (Debra Blalock), Atlanta; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11am on Friday, October 13, 2023, in the Chapel at Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, South Chapel, with the Rev. David Harper officiating. Interment will follow in Oaknoll Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends from 5pm until 7pm on Thursday, October 12, 2023, at Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, South Chapel.
Pallbearers are to assemble by 10:30am on Friday at Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, South Chapel, and include: Kevin Webb, Mark Sams, Shawn Thacker, Danny Willis, Jason Willis and Tim Dickens.
Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, South Chapel, has charge of funeral arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Nell Willis
Sponsored by Henderson & Sons Funeral Home - South Chapel - Rome.
Brenda Bishop
October 23, 2023
To Jill and Jan,
I wanted to THANK YOU GIRLS for taking care of Nell and Wesley. The many long hours on the road, late hours when things were not going good and you knew you had to be with them in their hours of need.
Children are a BLESSING and ya’ll have
been there when the going got ROUGH so many times. I LOVE YOU GIRLS.
Thank ya’ll for being there anytime you were needed.
Brenda Bishop
October 23, 2023
Nell was a fun loving person. A happy outlook with everything she did.
Holidays were so much fun for her. She loved children and she was always playing with my Grandson, Henry in the floor. Games like
Hide and Seek or things that she knew would make him laugh.
Nell was a good cook. We loved her
Casseroles.
Nell loved her Church and Church Family.
She also loved Working and enjoyed her
Work family.
A very happy person. It was such a pleasure to be with the family for Birthdays and
Holidays.
Nell will be missed.
Kristi Paige
October 10, 2023
I Always loved Nell and Wesley! They were always sweet to me! Every time I saw them at Hollywood Baptist Church they would give me a big hug and tell me that they loved me! I Love You Nell! Now you and Wesley can Rest In Peace together!
Marion Whittle
October 10, 2023
My heart is saddened by the absence of my friend,neighbor,Traveling buddy and one of my best friends Nell Willis. We had so much fun on our travels. On our Friday night out and card games which we all became experts lol
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Lori Harris
October 10, 2023
To Mrs. Nell Dempsey Willis's family, I was one of those kids she influence @ Hollywood Baptist Church. She was a beautiful lady inside and out. She always set such a wonderful example to all the children she taught. As I write this to her family you already knew what a shinning light she was. May God bless you all and keep you until we all are called home. Lori Wall Harris
Peggy Valentine
October 10, 2023
Jill,
My prayers are with you at this time. You have been a great daughter to your mother!
Peggy
Sheryl Sullins
October 10, 2023
Dear Jill and Jan,
I am so sad to learn of your Mother's passing, and pray for the peace that passes all understanding for both of you in the days and weeks ahead.
I am sad for the loss of her presence in the lives of those of us who knew her and loved her. She was a special lady, and I grieve for you and with you, but I am so happy for her. Happy that she is in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, who she loved and joyfully served throughout her life. Happy for her that she is reunited with her parents, and with Wesley who she loved as her husband and companion for so many years.
Nell and I knew each other through our lifelong membership at Hollywood Church, but we became close friends during our time as Sunday School teachers...she in First Grade and I in Second Grade. I have many happy memories of Nell, and I am blessed to have had her in my life.
Praying our loving Lord will surround you and fill you with the peace and comfort that only He can give.
Love and Prayers,
Sheryl Sullins
John 3:16,17
Cheryl Herring
October 10, 2023
Ny deepest sympathy and condolences to your family. I have known your parents for many, many years. My heart was saddened to read about your mom’s passing. I knew your parents for a long time. Your dad worked with my former husband at Battey Machinery and your mom, I came to know her as she was a dedicated customer to JCPenney. I waited on them many times and enjoyed their friendship. My prayers and thoughts are with you today and the days ahead. To be absent in body is to be present with the Lord. God Bless your family.
Cathy Pruitt-Vann
October 9, 2023
Sending our thoughts and prayers to the family of Nell Willis. Billy & Betty Pruitt, Centre. AL and Cathy Pruitt Vann, Rome, GA.
Teresia Worley
October 9, 2023
I knew Nell trough my husband working at Inland. She was a very sweet lady and over the years we talked a lot. When my husband passed she was there for me and I have always been so grateful for her. She is now with our God and angels
Lynn
October 9, 2023
We loved Nell & Wesley. Both are missed. Nell was a special lady that always had a smile. She brought every student that went through her SS class a Happy Meal on their birthday. Our grandson Isaiah was one of those children. He has not forgotten her. We have all of her family in our prayersWesley is happy to have her with him❤
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Oct
12
Visitation
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Henderson & Sons Funeral Home - South Chapel - Rome3002 Maple Road, Rome, GA 30161
Oct
13
Funeral service
11:00 a.m.
Henderson & Sons Funeral Home - South Chapel - Rome3002 Maple Road, Rome, GA 30161
Funeral services provided by:
Henderson & Sons Funeral Home - South Chapel - Rome3002 Maple Road, Rome, GA 30161
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