1925-2018
Emma Young Willis moved to her mansion in Glory at the age of 93 on November 14, 2018 at Solaris Healthcare of Pensacola. She is healed in her new and eternal body.
Emma was born on September 27, 1925 in Faceville, Georgia; the youngest of eight children born to Thomas Mannaseh “Nas” Young and his wife, Mimmie Lee. After her two oldest brothers left for Northwest Florida in their horse and wagon, the rest of the family followed in the Model-T Ford. At the age of 16, Emma married her lifelong companion and love, Vernon Willis. After Army deployment in the early years of their marriage, they settled on Davis Highway in a home they renovated together. Emma was a member of Eastern Star and dedicated Sunday School teacher of her “Sunbeams” at Olive Baptist Church. When her daughters were born, she lovingly devoted herself to their care. She painstakingly sewed and trimmed intricate ballet costumes and crocheted beautiful afghans for family members. Receiving her high school diploma in 1965, Emma decided to join the retail workforce, managing an infant’s department. She took great pride in the strength and tenacity of her family’s heritage and passed along those traits to her girls. Those traits and an abiding faith in God’s goodness and love will live on in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Emma was an active member of First Baptist Church of Pensacola and volunteered her time to Samaritan Hands and meeting the needs of others. After retirement, she and Vernon traveled throughout the United States in their motor home. They enjoyed cruises with their daughter, Carole, and her husband, Don. A tour of Europe was a lifetime dream for Vernon and as always, she followed him, despite her intense fear of flying. Once they landed, she loved visiting the countries that were home to her ancestors in the 1700’s. She cared for Vernon in his last years and was by his side as he passed in December of 2000. They are celebrating her arrival with Carole, who left us on September 23, 2018.
Emma was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, husband, Vernon Willis, and daughter, Carole Raymer. She is survived by her younger daughter, Verna Smith and grandchildren, Lindsay Long (Ryan), Max Smith, and Blake Jackson. Emma is also survived by grandchildren: Sandy Raymer, Tye Raymer, Todd Raymer, Karri Hill, and Kelli Perkins (Ted). Emma leaves many beautiful great grandchildren as well as loving and faithful nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Solaris Healthcare for their dedicated service and ministry to Mrs. Willis. In lieu of flowers, please send any donations to Covenant Care Hospice, a nonprofit organization, to help others in their final days.
Friends are cordially invited to join the family for a visitation on Sunday, November 18, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at Eastern Gate Memorial Funeral Home, immediately followed by a service at 2:00 p.m. Interment will take place after the service at Eastern Gate Memorial Gardens.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Eastern Gate Memorial Funeral Home.
