Submitted by: John C. Monk

Louise Willis

March 3, 2010
SOUTH BEND - Mrs. Louise Willis departed this life at the age of 99 on March 3, 2010, in Bolivar, TN. Mrs. Willis lived in South Bend for five years and returned to Bolivar after the death of her husband, Rev. Martin Willis. She was married to Rev. Willis for 80 years and lived to see five generations: 11 children, 37 grandchildren and 97 great-grandchildren. Born to Sue and John Beard, she leaves to cherish her memories Thelma Thomas of Bolivar, TN, Columbus Letoy, Cleaster Kilgore, Martin Luther, Elvis (Joyce) and Jerry (Bonnie); daughters-in-law, Nancy and Richetta Willis, all of South Bend, Mamie Harvey, Mae Ola Carothers of Memphis, TN, Brenda (Charles) Watkins and Clara Blanton; and a son-in-law, Robert Thomas of Columbus, OH. She also leaves to cherish her memories the grandchildren and all the great-grandchildren, along with a host of other relatives and friends. Services will be in Bolivar, TN. Visitation will be today, March 7th, in the Hardeman County Funeral Home from 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be Monday at 11 a.m. in Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church.

Published in South Bend Tribune on March 7, 2010