Loretta Willis' Obituary
Loretta Willis, 84, of Nashville, TN passed away peacefully at Alive Hospice on May 18, 2024. She was born December 8, 1939, to Chester Cook and Georgie Richardson in Princeton, West Virginia.
She was married to Donald Willis for nearly 60 years before he passed away in 2017. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Steve Willis and Karen Bennett. She spent her early years in West Virginia, and after a short time in Arlington, Virginia, and Ohio, they settled their family in the Madison area.
She worked as a telephone operator for many years, and one of her favorite memories while working in the Washington DC area was connecting the United States President and the astronauts in space. She also worked many years as a receptionist for doctors at St. Thomas Hospital. She also met many friends and colleagues while working with the Department of Revenue for Tennessee.
She was active in local politics and enjoyed the opportunity to try and make the world a better place through civic duty.
Loretta was a Christian in the Southern Baptist faith. She was an active member at Parkway Baptist Church and loved helping cook Wednesday night fellowship meals for her congregation. She was a loving, selfless caregiver for her family.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Don Willis, son, Steve Willis, mother, Georgie Richardson, and stepfather, Roy Richardson.
Those left behind to cherish her memory are daughter, Karen Bennett, grandson, Alex Willis, nieces, Debi Dowdy and Ronda Willis.
Those serving pallbearers will be Alex Willis, Jeff Caldwell, Jimmy Caldwell, Dan Hayes, Jon Bennett, and Jeff Koonce.
Family and Friends will gather to visit on Monday, May 20, 2024, from 4 pm until 8 pm, and a celebration of her life will take place on Tuesday, May 21, at 10 am. Her burial will take place at 11:30 am at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Goodlettsville.
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