Virginia W. Willis

Virginia Whitehurst Willis, 86, of Davis, went home to be with Jesus on April 14, 2018.

Her service is at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 18th at the Davis Free Will Baptist Church, in Davis, NC. Officiating will be Rev. Jimmy Mercer and Rev. Rylan Jones. Interment will follow at Murphy Cemetery.

Born January 3rd, 1932 in Davis, NC, she was a daughter of the late Julius Gray and Lila Dare Willis. Family and close friends call her “Ginny” or “Ninnie”. She worked 34 years at Cherry Point with the primary role of ordering airplane parts. She was a member of the Davis Free Will Baptist Church for 73 years. She served there as the Church Clerk and taught Sunday School. She also sang in the Choir, where her voice always stood out, as she had the unique ability to hit the high notes.

Although she never had any natural born children, she was a mother and grandmother to many. Her role of Aunt and Great-Aunt was truly cherished. Every opportunity to spoil her nieces and nephews was seized and explored to the fullest. It was common on any given Saturday for her to load up the car with kids, even allowing some to ride on the armrest beside her, drive in to town and go wherever the most fun could be had. It was easy for her to run in to friends anywhere she went, as it was believed that she knew all of Carteret County.

Her pies and homemade light rolls were a staple of family dinners, as she knew just the trick to “working” the dough to make them just right. She was known for her unique strong-willed personality that came in handy when fighting and beating cancer multiple times.

She is survived by her brother, Weston Earl Willis Sr. of Davis who she was extremely close to. It was uncommon to see one without the other at any church service or event, and there was always a certain peace about her when she was with him and the rest of her family.

She is also survived by her nieces and nephews, Robert Willis, Paul Willis, Earl Willis, Lisa Belangia, Michelle Taylor and Lee Davis; great nieces and nephews, Ashley Jones, Brooke Smith, Caleb Willis, Heather Leibowitz, Jessi Keller, Justin Willis, Kristin Marceau, Matthew Hill; and many other special children.

She was preceded in death by sisters, Gladys Fay Davis, Jean Willis Saulmon and Joan Willis (twins); and brother, Jeffrey Paul Willis.

The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 17 at the Davis Free Will Baptist Church. All friends and family are welcome to come by her brother Weston’s home, at 262 Croaker St. in Davis.

Online condolences may be made at www.mundenfuneralhome.net

Arrangements are by Munden Funeral Home and Crematory, Morehead City, NC.