Marilyn Nellie Willis
Marilyn N. Willis, age 77, a true and virtuous woman who loved to serve her Savior and her community, has fought a good fight, kept the faith and finished her course with dignity on Sunday, June 12, 2016.
She leaves behind a trail of “Heart Prints” that were bestowed upon everyone she met. She died peacefully at her home on Sunday; her favorite day of the week and at the time of day her dear family and friends were worshiping their Lord and Savior, in the church she loved so dearly.
Forty-three years ago she set out to blaze the way for disabled students to be given the opportunity to read. The need for quality schools that would take the necessary time and effort to teach special needs students was a personal need of her own; to which she dedicated 43 years to education. Her goal was to treat each student as special as God created them to be, instill within them the desire to be great and the confidence that they could conquer the world despite the limitations that may be put on them. Her commitment to education recently rewarded her an Honorary Doctorate Degree putting the final touches on her long and dedicated career as a School Administrator.
Marilyn loved all kinds of people and took every opportunity to show them the love of God. Her card ministry touched thousands of lives over the years. She lived by the moto that “Those who deserve to be loved the least, need it the most”; a true champion for those who had made bad choices in their lives, those who had fallen on hard times or that God had chosen to create differently. She was a true believer of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th chances, if that is what it took for someone to get their life back in order. Never would it be a surprise to see her having lunch with a stranger that had fallen on hard times; giving a ride to a disabled man that the entire community deemed frightening; teaching elderly people how to drive; and taking care of widowed women who the world had forgotten. Sometimes people touch our lives and other times they leave “Heart Prints” that will never be forgotten. Her life of Christian stewardship will live on in the countless number of lives she has touched through the years.
To God be the glory for allowing her to live a fulfilled life of service to Him. Her last wish would be that everyone come to know the saving grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Marilyn lived all her life in Bristol, VA. She attended Victory Baptist Church where she was the Sunday School teacher for 25 years of the Willing Workers Class.
She was a plant supervisor at Westbury Fashion and was an accomplished seamstress. After entering education, she became the Principal of Tri-Cities Christian Schools – Rosemont Campus. After a brief retirement, she became the founder and Administrator of Victory Children’s Center. During her years in education, she calmed many fears, trained countless champions for Christ, and willed the students to greatness. She served on the board of the Southwest Virginia Food Bank, Virginia Lifetime PTA President, and she was an accomplished bowler and softball player. In her younger days she threw a number of perfect games in the leagues at Belmont Lanes. She was a lifetime member of the Tennessee Association of Christian School Educators.
Marilyn was born May 10, 1939 to the late Mack and Zella Moore in Bristol, TN.
She is survived by her loving husband, soul mate, and companion of 54 years, Jim Willis.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Mack and Zella Moore; sister, Wanda Akers and husband Andy; brothers, Tom, Ralph, and Dennis Moore; brother, Marvin (Bud) Moore and wife Billie Jean; and her precious mother-in-law, Lucille Willis McCall.
Marilyn is survived by her husband, Jim; daughter, Dee Willis, Bristol, VA; and son, Scott Willis, Bristol, VA; Brother, Carl Moore and wife Linda; Brother, Harold Moore and wife Judy; Brother, Joe Moore; Brother, Dave Moore and wife Lovena; Brother, Larry Moore and wife Rose. Sister-in-law, Betty Moore; Sister-in-law, Ivy Hall; Sister-in-law, Marlene Akers. Nieces: Emily Moore, Keely Smith and husband Rain, Carla Moore, Susie Moore, Katie Moore, April Moore, Betty McNamee, Debbie Moore and Barbara Marter. Nephews: Roger Moore and wife Jeannie, Travis Moore, Kenneth Moore, Paul Moore, Billie Moore, Chad Moore, Bobby Moore, and Grady Allen Moore.
Marilyn is also survived by some very special loving friends who she wishes to always be remembered as family: her number one cheerleader, Judi Woods; childhood girlfriend, Wynona Trivett Odum; sidekick, Peggy Long; Best Friend Nancy Denton, Prayer Warrior Jane Sutherland; teaching confidants; Renee’ McFetrich Bosket and Margie Barnett; All Her Precious and Dearest Friends of the Willing Workers Sunday School Class and their spouses; the staff of Victory Children’s Center; adopted daughters, Ann Grizzle and Gaynell Roark Sargent; and adopted family Don Trivette.
The family would like to send a special thanks to Marilyn’s loving caretakers, LeAnn Dellorso and sister-in-law, Lovena Moore, and Wellmont Hospice House.
Wednesday, June 15, 2016 ,at Victory Baptist Church in Bristol, VA., Funeral services at 7:00 with Pastor Dr. Austin Cook and Associate Pastor Ethan Cook officiating.
Interment will be held on Thursday, June 16, 2016 at 12:00 pm at East Lawn Memorial Park in Kingsport, TN.
Serving as pallbearers will be Darin McReynolds, Gary Mitchell, Bryan Moore, Ronnie Meade, Tim Hammond, Greg McReynolds, and Hank Roark. Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons of Victory Baptist Church, Phil Barker, George Price, Charles Hall, Ron Meade, Ricky Shortt, Larry Bennett, Ron Hodgson, David Meade, Jack Boyer, Special Friends: Lonnie Hammond, Ron Bellamy, Steve Vance, Norman Walls, Phil Denton, Ted Bowman, JB McReynolds, Don Bennett, and Charlie Hawkins.
Marilyn N. Willis, age 77, a true and virtuous woman who loved to serve her Savior and her community, has fought a good fight, kept the faith and finished her course with dignity on Sunday, June 12, 2016.
She leaves behind a trail of “Heart Prints” that were bestowed upon everyone she met. She died peacefully at her home on Sunday; her favorite day of the week and at the time of day her dear family and friends were worshiping their Lord and Savior, in the church she loved so dearly.
Forty-three years ago she set out to blaze the way for disabled students to be given the opportunity to read. The need for quality schools that would take the necessary time and effort to teach special needs students was a personal need of her own; to which she dedicated 43 years to education. Her goal was to treat each student as special as God created them to be, instill within them the desire to be great and the confidence that they could conquer the world despite the limitations that may be put on them. Her commitment to education recently rewarded her an Honorary Doctorate Degree putting the final touches on her long and dedicated career as a School Administrator.
Marilyn loved all kinds of people and took every opportunity to show them the love of God. Her card ministry touched thousands of lives over the years. She lived by the moto that “Those who deserve to be loved the least, need it the most”; a true champion for those who had made bad choices in their lives, those who had fallen on hard times or that God had chosen to create differently. She was a true believer of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th chances, if that is what it took for someone to get their life back in order. Never would it be a surprise to see her having lunch with a stranger that had fallen on hard times; giving a ride to a disabled man that the entire community deemed frightening; teaching elderly people how to drive; and taking care of widowed women who the world had forgotten. Sometimes people touch our lives and other times they leave “Heart Prints” that will never be forgotten. Her life of Christian stewardship will live on in the countless number of lives she has touched through the years.
To God be the glory for allowing her to live a fulfilled life of service to Him. Her last wish would be that everyone come to know the saving grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Marilyn lived all her life in Bristol, VA. She attended Victory Baptist Church where she was the Sunday School teacher for 25 years of the Willing Workers Class.
She was a plant supervisor at Westbury Fashion and was an accomplished seamstress. After entering education, she became the Principal of Tri-Cities Christian Schools – Rosemont Campus. After a brief retirement, she became the founder and Administrator of Victory Children’s Center. During her years in education, she calmed many fears, trained countless champions for Christ, and willed the students to greatness. She served on the board of the Southwest Virginia Food Bank, Virginia Lifetime PTA President, and she was an accomplished bowler and softball player. In her younger days she threw a number of perfect games in the leagues at Belmont Lanes. She was a lifetime member of the Tennessee Association of Christian School Educators.
Marilyn was born May 10, 1939 to the late Mack and Zella Moore in Bristol, TN.
She is survived by her loving husband, soul mate, and companion of 54 years, Jim Willis.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Mack and Zella Moore; sister, Wanda Akers and husband Andy; brothers, Tom, Ralph, and Dennis Moore; brother, Marvin (Bud) Moore and wife Billie Jean; and her precious mother-in-law, Lucille Willis McCall.
Marilyn is survived by her husband, Jim; daughter, Dee Willis, Bristol, VA; and son, Scott Willis, Bristol, VA; Brother, Carl Moore and wife Linda; Brother, Harold Moore and wife Judy; Brother, Joe Moore; Brother, Dave Moore and wife Lovena; Brother, Larry Moore and wife Rose. Sister-in-law, Betty Moore; Sister-in-law, Ivy Hall; Sister-in-law, Marlene Akers. Nieces: Emily Moore, Keely Smith and husband Rain, Carla Moore, Susie Moore, Katie Moore, April Moore, Betty McNamee, Debbie Moore and Barbara Marter. Nephews: Roger Moore and wife Jeannie, Travis Moore, Kenneth Moore, Paul Moore, Billie Moore, Chad Moore, Bobby Moore, and Grady Allen Moore.
Marilyn is also survived by some very special loving friends who she wishes to always be remembered as family: her number one cheerleader, Judi Woods; childhood girlfriend, Wynona Trivett Odum; sidekick, Peggy Long; Best Friend Nancy Denton, Prayer Warrior Jane Sutherland; teaching confidants; Renee’ McFetrich Bosket and Margie Barnett; All Her Precious and Dearest Friends of the Willing Workers Sunday School Class and their spouses; the staff of Victory Children’s Center; adopted daughters, Ann Grizzle and Gaynell Roark Sargent; and adopted family Don Trivette.
The family would like to send a special thanks to Marilyn’s loving caretakers, LeAnn Dellorso and sister-in-law, Lovena Moore, and Wellmont Hospice House.
Wednesday, June 15, 2016 ,at Victory Baptist Church in Bristol, VA., Funeral services at 7:00 with Pastor Dr. Austin Cook and Associate Pastor Ethan Cook officiating.
Interment will be held on Thursday, June 16, 2016 at 12:00 pm at East Lawn Memorial Park in Kingsport, TN.
Serving as pallbearers will be Darin McReynolds, Gary Mitchell, Bryan Moore, Ronnie Meade, Tim Hammond, Greg McReynolds, and Hank Roark. Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons of Victory Baptist Church, Phil Barker, George Price, Charles Hall, Ron Meade, Ricky Shortt, Larry Bennett, Ron Hodgson, David Meade, Jack Boyer, Special Friends: Lonnie Hammond, Ron Bellamy, Steve Vance, Norman Walls, Phil Denton, Ted Bowman, JB McReynolds, Don Bennett, and Charlie Hawkins.
Marilyn Nellie Willis
Marilyn N. Willis, age 77, a true and virtuous woman who loved to serve her Savior and her community, has fought a good fight, kept the faith and finished her course with dignity on Sunday, June 12, 2016.
She leaves behind a trail of “Heart Prints” that were bestowed upon everyone she met. She died peacefully at her home on Sunday; her favorite day of the week and at the time of day her dear family and friends were worshiping their Lord and Savior, in the church she loved so dearly.
Forty-three years ago she set out to blaze the way for disabled students to be given the opportunity to read. The need for quality schools that would take the necessary time and effort to teach special needs students was a personal need of her own; to which she dedicated 43 years to education. Her goal was to treat each student as special as God created them to be, instill within them the desire to be great and the confidence that they could conquer the world despite the limitations that may be put on them. Her commitment to education recently rewarded her an Honorary Doctorate Degree putting the final touches on her long and dedicated career as a School Administrator.
Marilyn loved all kinds of people and took every opportunity to show them the love of God. Her card ministry touched thousands of lives over the years. She lived by the moto that “Those who deserve to be loved the least, need it the most”; a true champion for those who had made bad choices in their lives, those who had fallen on hard times or that God had chosen to create differently. She was a true believer of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th chances, if that is what it took for someone to get their life back in order. Never would it be a surprise to see her having lunch with a stranger that had fallen on hard times; giving a ride to a disabled man that the entire community deemed frightening; teaching elderly people how to drive; and taking care of widowed women who the world had forgotten. Sometimes people touch our lives and other times they leave “Heart Prints” that will never be forgotten. Her life of Christian stewardship will live on in the countless number of lives she has touched through the years.
To God be the glory for allowing her to live a fulfilled life of service to Him. Her last wish would be that everyone come to know the saving grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Marilyn lived all her life in Bristol, VA. She attended Victory Baptist Church where she was the Sunday School teacher for 25 years of the Willing Workers Class.
She was a plant supervisor at Westbury Fashion and was an accomplished seamstress. After entering education, she became the Principal of Tri-Cities Christian Schools – Rosemont Campus. After a brief retirement, she became the founder and Administrator of Victory Children’s Center. During her years in education, she calmed many fears, trained countless champions for Christ, and willed the students to greatness. She served on the board of the Southwest Virginia Food Bank, Virginia Lifetime PTA President, and she was an accomplished bowler and softball player. In her younger days she threw a number of perfect games in the leagues at Belmont Lanes. She was a lifetime member of the Tennessee Association of Christian School Educators.
Marilyn was born May 10, 1939 to the late Mack and Zella Moore in Bristol, TN.
She is survived by her loving husband, soul mate, and companion of 54 years, Jim Willis.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Mack and Zella Moore; sister, Wanda Akers and husband Andy; brothers, Tom, Ralph, and Dennis Moore; brother, Marvin (Bud) Moore and wife Billie Jean; and her precious mother-in-law, Lucille Willis McCall.
Marilyn is survived by her husband, Jim; daughter, Dee Willis, Bristol, VA; and son, Scott Willis, Bristol, VA; Brother, Carl Moore and wife Linda; Brother, Harold Moore and wife Judy; Brother, Joe Moore; Brother, Dave Moore and wife Lovena; Brother, Larry Moore and wife Rose. Sister-in-law, Betty Moore; Sister-in-law, Ivy Hall; Sister-in-law, Marlene Akers. Nieces: Emily Moore, Keely Smith and husband Rain, Carla Moore, Susie Moore, Katie Moore, April Moore, Betty McNamee, Debbie Moore and Barbara Marter. Nephews: Roger Moore and wife Jeannie, Travis Moore, Kenneth Moore, Paul Moore, Billie Moore, Chad Moore, Bobby Moore, and Grady Allen Moore.
Marilyn is also survived by some very special loving friends who she wishes to always be remembered as family: her number one cheerleader, Judi Woods; childhood girlfriend, Wynona Trivett Odum; sidekick, Peggy Long; Best Friend Nancy Denton, Prayer Warrior Jane Sutherland; teaching confidants; Renee’ McFetrich Bosket and Margie Barnett; All Her Precious and Dearest Friends of the Willing Workers Sunday School Class and their spouses; the staff of Victory Children’s Center; adopted daughters, Ann Grizzle and Gaynell Roark Sargent; and adopted family Don Trivette.
The family would like to send a special thanks to Marilyn’s loving caretakers, LeAnn Dellorso and sister-in-law, Lovena Moore, and Wellmont Hospice House.
Wednesday, June 15, 2016 ,at Victory Baptist Church in Bristol, VA., Funeral services at 7:00 with Pastor Dr. Austin Cook and Associate Pastor Ethan Cook officiating.
Interment will be held on Thursday, June 16, 2016 at 12:00 pm at East Lawn Memorial Park in Kingsport, TN.
Serving as pallbearers will be Darin McReynolds, Gary Mitchell, Bryan Moore, Ronnie Meade, Tim Hammond, Greg McReynolds, and Hank Roark. Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons of Victory Baptist Church, Phil Barker, George Price, Charles Hall, Ron Meade, Ricky Shortt, Larry Bennett, Ron Hodgson, David Meade, Jack Boyer, Special Friends: Lonnie Hammond, Ron Bellamy, Steve Vance, Norman Walls, Phil Denton, Ted Bowman, JB McReynolds, Don Bennett, and Charlie Hawkins.
Marilyn N. Willis, age 77, a true and virtuous woman who loved to serve her Savior and her community, has fought a good fight, kept the faith and finished her course with dignity on Sunday, June 12, 2016.
She leaves behind a trail of “Heart Prints” that were bestowed upon everyone she met. She died peacefully at her home on Sunday; her favorite day of the week and at the time of day her dear family and friends were worshiping their Lord and Savior, in the church she loved so dearly.
Forty-three years ago she set out to blaze the way for disabled students to be given the opportunity to read. The need for quality schools that would take the necessary time and effort to teach special needs students was a personal need of her own; to which she dedicated 43 years to education. Her goal was to treat each student as special as God created them to be, instill within them the desire to be great and the confidence that they could conquer the world despite the limitations that may be put on them. Her commitment to education recently rewarded her an Honorary Doctorate Degree putting the final touches on her long and dedicated career as a School Administrator.
Marilyn loved all kinds of people and took every opportunity to show them the love of God. Her card ministry touched thousands of lives over the years. She lived by the moto that “Those who deserve to be loved the least, need it the most”; a true champion for those who had made bad choices in their lives, those who had fallen on hard times or that God had chosen to create differently. She was a true believer of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th chances, if that is what it took for someone to get their life back in order. Never would it be a surprise to see her having lunch with a stranger that had fallen on hard times; giving a ride to a disabled man that the entire community deemed frightening; teaching elderly people how to drive; and taking care of widowed women who the world had forgotten. Sometimes people touch our lives and other times they leave “Heart Prints” that will never be forgotten. Her life of Christian stewardship will live on in the countless number of lives she has touched through the years.
To God be the glory for allowing her to live a fulfilled life of service to Him. Her last wish would be that everyone come to know the saving grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Marilyn lived all her life in Bristol, VA. She attended Victory Baptist Church where she was the Sunday School teacher for 25 years of the Willing Workers Class.
She was a plant supervisor at Westbury Fashion and was an accomplished seamstress. After entering education, she became the Principal of Tri-Cities Christian Schools – Rosemont Campus. After a brief retirement, she became the founder and Administrator of Victory Children’s Center. During her years in education, she calmed many fears, trained countless champions for Christ, and willed the students to greatness. She served on the board of the Southwest Virginia Food Bank, Virginia Lifetime PTA President, and she was an accomplished bowler and softball player. In her younger days she threw a number of perfect games in the leagues at Belmont Lanes. She was a lifetime member of the Tennessee Association of Christian School Educators.
Marilyn was born May 10, 1939 to the late Mack and Zella Moore in Bristol, TN.
She is survived by her loving husband, soul mate, and companion of 54 years, Jim Willis.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Mack and Zella Moore; sister, Wanda Akers and husband Andy; brothers, Tom, Ralph, and Dennis Moore; brother, Marvin (Bud) Moore and wife Billie Jean; and her precious mother-in-law, Lucille Willis McCall.
Marilyn is survived by her husband, Jim; daughter, Dee Willis, Bristol, VA; and son, Scott Willis, Bristol, VA; Brother, Carl Moore and wife Linda; Brother, Harold Moore and wife Judy; Brother, Joe Moore; Brother, Dave Moore and wife Lovena; Brother, Larry Moore and wife Rose. Sister-in-law, Betty Moore; Sister-in-law, Ivy Hall; Sister-in-law, Marlene Akers. Nieces: Emily Moore, Keely Smith and husband Rain, Carla Moore, Susie Moore, Katie Moore, April Moore, Betty McNamee, Debbie Moore and Barbara Marter. Nephews: Roger Moore and wife Jeannie, Travis Moore, Kenneth Moore, Paul Moore, Billie Moore, Chad Moore, Bobby Moore, and Grady Allen Moore.
Marilyn is also survived by some very special loving friends who she wishes to always be remembered as family: her number one cheerleader, Judi Woods; childhood girlfriend, Wynona Trivett Odum; sidekick, Peggy Long; Best Friend Nancy Denton, Prayer Warrior Jane Sutherland; teaching confidants; Renee’ McFetrich Bosket and Margie Barnett; All Her Precious and Dearest Friends of the Willing Workers Sunday School Class and their spouses; the staff of Victory Children’s Center; adopted daughters, Ann Grizzle and Gaynell Roark Sargent; and adopted family Don Trivette.
The family would like to send a special thanks to Marilyn’s loving caretakers, LeAnn Dellorso and sister-in-law, Lovena Moore, and Wellmont Hospice House.
Wednesday, June 15, 2016 ,at Victory Baptist Church in Bristol, VA., Funeral services at 7:00 with Pastor Dr. Austin Cook and Associate Pastor Ethan Cook officiating.
Interment will be held on Thursday, June 16, 2016 at 12:00 pm at East Lawn Memorial Park in Kingsport, TN.
Serving as pallbearers will be Darin McReynolds, Gary Mitchell, Bryan Moore, Ronnie Meade, Tim Hammond, Greg McReynolds, and Hank Roark. Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons of Victory Baptist Church, Phil Barker, George Price, Charles Hall, Ron Meade, Ricky Shortt, Larry Bennett, Ron Hodgson, David Meade, Jack Boyer, Special Friends: Lonnie Hammond, Ron Bellamy, Steve Vance, Norman Walls, Phil Denton, Ted Bowman, JB McReynolds, Don Bennett, and Charlie Hawkins.
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