Willa Aline Alcorn

Willa Aline Burdett Alcorn was born on December 8, 1928 in Crawfordsville, Indiana to the late Jesse C. and Ada Burdett. She received her formal education from the Crawfordsville School System. She was a member of Second Baptist Church. Her father was a Deacon at the church. On a cold October day, Willa was baptized on the banks of Sugar Creek in Crawfordsville at a young age.

Willa, would always talk fondly about her years growing up in Crawfordsville. All the kids would go to the Recreation Center where they would watch movies, dance, do crafts, play board games, read, just to name a few. Roller Skating was another fun activity that everyone would love to do. Willa was one who could dance while skating. When Janet was a young girl, Willa strapped on skates and taught Janet how to skate.

In the summer, Baseball was the big activity that the kids would do. The boys were in the typical summer Baseball league and the girls would play with them so they would get their practice in. The adults in the neighborhood would bring chairs out to watch the games because they were pretty good. Willa was a good Baseball player. She surprised her kids when they got to see her one time hit a ball and it really went far! As an adult she still had it.

After High School, Willa started working at FW Woolworth in Crawfordsville as their Sign Maker for the store. She would get the opportunity to go to new Woolworth stores to make all their initial signs. She worked for FW Woolworth in both Crawfordsville and Indianapolis for 10 years.

With all the activities that Willa participated in, she found time to learn how to play the piano as a child. She was the Piano player for Second Baptist Church Junior Choir. She was their piano player until she got married and moved to Indianapolis. When electric keyboard came to be, Willa went back to playing at home for fun and enjoyment.

On one of Willa’s annual two-week trips to Kentucky with her parents, she met Eugene Alcorn. They were married on Sunday, August 28, 1955. To this union Janet K and Jeffrey E Alcorn were born. Willa graduated from Porter Business College in January 1960.

Willa was also an artist. Most of her pictures were landscapes. She always had her paintings on the walls in all her homes. Janet recognized Willa’s skills and told her that her art needs to be seen. Janet discovered the Hoosier Salon competition. Janet encouraged Willa to submit a painting. That encouragement paid off. She won Outstanding First Time Exhibitor, Any Medium at the 83rd Hoosier Salon Art Exhibition. The painting, “Serenity”, hung in the Indiana State Museum for a month before it took a tour around the state. Her children were so proud. She always wished that Eugene and her parents were alive to see her accomplishment.

After Hoosier Salon, Willa would for many years had several paintings in the Women’s Building of the Indiana State Fair. In between all that she shared her art with the church. She was able to draw three paintings of the different locations of Pilgrim Baptist Church. Those paintings were incorporated into the logo of the 75th Church Anniversary.

Willa was a wonderful daughter, wife and mother with a big smile like her father. We loved her as she loved us. We will miss her always!

On Friday evening March 5 2021, Willa transitioned to be in the loving hands our Lord in Heaven.

Willa was preceded in death by her parents Jesse C. and Ada Burdett and her husband Eugene.

Willa is survived by her children Janet K Alcorn and Jeffrey E. Alcorn;

Brother-In-Law John A. Alcorn; Sister-In-Laws Marie Bates and Shirley Alcorn; and a host of Nieces and Nephews.