Willie B. died on February 16th at Transitions LifeCare, from the cruel thief of life, Dementia. She was a wonderful person, a funny and loving Mama, endearing Nana, and adored wife. Willie was liked by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her, and she in turn liked everyone she met. During 63 years of marriage she was the perfect homemaker, and the faithful and loving parent to her daughter and son, and to many of their friends. Willie graduated from John Graham HS in Warrenton where she played varsity basketball and dominated the superlatives section of her 1951 yearbook. She was a classmate and friend of the author Reynolds Price who mentions her in his biographical volume “Clear Pictures”. Willie was the fifth girl of six children of Marvin D. Overby Sr. and Mary Austin Watson. She was born on July 15, 1933 in her Grandmother’s home in Axtell (Warren Co), NC and lived 63 years in two homes in Cary. She is survived by her soul mate, life partner and best friend, Robert (Bob) McKim Cassell, Sr., of the home, daughter, Katherine (Kitty) Jane Cassell-Podhany (Daniel Jr.) of Raleigh and son Robert (Kim) Mckim Cassell, Jr. (Robin) of Matthews. Also surviving are grandchildren, Wesley Allen Pittman of Cary, Zachary Tyler Ray and Zane Austin Cassell of Matthews, Anna Isgrigg (Jeremy) of Youngsville. She is also survived by her sister, Eula Allen O. Ballard of N. Ft Myers, FL and sister in law, Kay T. Overby of Axtell, as well as many nieces and their families. She was predeceased by her parents and siblings, Elizabeth O. McAmis, (Herbert), Sallie O. Cole, (Russell), Jane O. Finch (Thomas), and Marvin D. Overby Jr and a nephew, Rusty Cole.
Willie and Bob are members of White Plains United Methodist Church, in Cary.
Services:
A reception to receive friends will be held at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home of Cary on February, 20th from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. Burial will be at the family’s pleasure at Brown’s Baptist Church Cemetery in Axtell, NC.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Willie’s name to Brown’s Baptist Church c/o Diane Jackson, 121 Cokesbury Ct., Henderson, NC 27537 or Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.
