Willagene Maxson Mechling Minnis

Willagene Maxson Mechling Minnis, 95, of Cary, NC passed away peacefully at Western Wake Hospital, surrounded by her family on Sunday, December 29, 2013. She was born in Colliers, WV on July 2, 1918 to the late Thomas Mechling and Suella Mechling Freshwater. She was preceded in death by her husband of 39 years, Herbert T. Minnis; her sisters, Florence Bridges, Margaret Hayes, Marion Knox and Georgia Freshwater; brothers, Roy, Charles, and Willard Mechling.

She is survived by her daughter, Saralee Minnis McComas and her husband, Robert of Cary, NC; son, Herbert T. Minnis and his wife, Bethine, of Lee’s Summit, MO; four grandsons, Shawn McComas and his wife, Lundie, of Cary, NC, Mark McComas and his wife, Sherry, of Willow Springs, NC , Nathan Minnis and his wife, Jennifer, of Blue Springs, MO and Christopher Minnis and his wife, Danielle, of Concord, NC; eight great-grandchildren, Preston, Parker, Taylor and Colton McComas, Payton, Cade, Olivia and Cameron Minnis, one great great-grandson, Noah.

Willa was a favorite of her nieces and nephews, Pamela Kehres (Bob) Jacksonville, NC, Ernest Mechling (Nancy) of Davie, FL, Judy Cipoletti (Gene) of Wellsburg, WV, JoAnn Owings (George), Bob Ward (Michelle), Barbara Balmer (Ken) Morgantown, WV and Vonnie Visnich, Weirton, WV, Gerald Mechling (JoAnne) Moundsville, WV -- all of whom will miss her dearly. She also was survived by many other nephews and nieces and a host of long time friends.

She was a member of 366 Eastern Stars of 25 years and a charter member of Dogwood Court of Amaranth since 1960.

Willa worked as a cashier for 21 years with Ivey’s and Dillard’s retiring at age 87 in 2005.

She was a former member of Cove Presbyterian Church in Weirton, WV, John Knox Presbyterian Church in N. Olmstead, Ohio and is now at Western Blvd Presbyterian Church in Raleigh, NC.

Willa will be remembered as a remarkable, strong, inspirational and independent woman. She loved the Lord, attending church, reading, gardening, knitting and spending time with her family. Her humor and strong spirit will be forever missed.

A funeral service will take place Thursday, January 2nd at Western Blvd. Presbyterian Church at 11:00 am, with the Reverend Betty Connette officiating. Visitation will follow the service. Interment will be at St. John Cemetery, Colliers, WV on Saturday, January 4th at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Western Blvd. Presbyterian Church (4900 Kaplan Drive, Raleigh NC 27606) or the Salvation Army (PO Box 10666, Raleigh NC 27605).

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Cary NC.