Willena Brock

Willena M. Brock, 91, of Cary NC, passed away peacefully in the morning hours of August 19, 2023 while living and being cared for at Sunrise Senior Living in Cary. She was preceded in death by her father, Luther McConnell and mother Ella Wee Moore McConnell, of Athens, Alabama; Brother LE McConnell, Jr. (Clara); Brother Eudean McConnell (Hazel) and Sister Auvine Barker (Charles Robert).

Those who knew Willena, knew that she was a very strong, sweet, and loving mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. Willena grew up at Union Hill in Limestone County Alabama in a home built in 1889 by her ancestor W. A. McConnell situated on three hundred and twenty three acres. Willena attended school in Limestone County and was a majorette in the band and graduated from Athens High School. She married Dwight Oaks in 1949 and had a child, Max. Tragically, an illness took Dwight’s life in 1954. Willena later married Jesse Brock in 1957 and had a child, Owen, followed soon thereafter with twins, Cindy and Greg.

Jesse and Willena moved to a small town in North Carolina in 1959 called Cary. They lived most of their marriage of almost 36 years in Cary, other than a brief time in Pensacola Florida, until Jesse's passing in 1993. Willena continued to live in Cary and spent most of this time in an amazing community on Boltstone Court until her passing.

Willena worked for several years at East Cary Junior High School in the administrative offices and later worked for many years in the accounts payable department for her sons company, Oaks Construction Company until her retirement.

Willena loved spending time tending to her rose bushes and gardening. She was also very adept as sewing and crocheting. Her other love was her many grandchildren and great grandchildren and she threw the best tea parties for them! She also loved her church family at the Brooks Avenue Church of Christ in Raleigh.

She loved to travel with family and friends around the country and was even able to visit Ireland, Chile and Hawaii.

Willena’s legacy will live on through her grandchildren both blood related and those bonded by love, Kelly Oaks Howard (Dan); Kim Oaks Flood (Alan); Tiffany Brock Westbrook (Brandon); Kristy Montgomery (Chase); Keith Montgomery Jr. (Megan); Jessie Brock; Heather Sweat (Steven); Austin Ingram; Arlen Ingram and her great grandchildren Nadia, Ross, Millie, Parker, Olivia, Mason, John, Gage, Gentry, Gunnar, Ryder, Skyler, Azzie and AJ.

Willena is survived by her sons, Max Oaks (Holly), J. Owen Brock Jr. (Janda) and Greg Brock (Kim) and her daughter Cindy Montgomery (Keith).

Visitation services will be held on Sunday August 27th from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home at 200 SE Maynard Road in Cary NC.

A graveside service will be held at Apex Cemetery at 11:00 am on Monday August 28th and is open to the public.

Flowers accepted or memorial contributions may be made to Special Needs Ministry, Brooks Avenue Church of Christ, 700 Brooks Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27607,

A special thanks of gratitude to the all the staff at Sunrise Senior Living of Cary for their excellent care for the time Willena was there and especially to Quantazha Mcnair.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared below for the Brock family.