Dollie Viola Willingham

Dollie Viola Payne Willingham, born April 3, 1929, in the Riddles Bend community, Mrs. Willingham lived all of her life in or near Etowah County. One of eight children, she was affectionately nicknamed "my little Dollie" by her older brother Clarance.

Mrs. Dollie Viola Payne Willingham went on to be with the Lord on Wednesday, August 26th, 2026, in Gallant, Alabama. She passed away peacefully in the home she built with her husband. During her time on this earth, Mrs. Willingham was a devoted sister, wife, mother, "Nannie", neighbor, and friend.

Over the course of her remarkable 97 years, Mrs. Willingham witnessed a world transformed. A child the Great Depression, she knew the meaning of hard work, sacrifice, and making do with what you had. She understood the sacrifices of wartime and the realities of rationing, and she lived through generations of remarkable change.

Her lifetime carried her from attending church by mule and wagon to traveling through the beautiful Smoky Mountains in an air-conditioned Buick. She witnessed the world change in countless ways, yet remained grounded in the values of faith, family, hard work, and gratitude that guided her throughout her life.

Mrs. Willingham was a master of many crafts, with a special gift for quilting and crochet. She found great joy in creating beautiful things with her hands and sharing those gifts with others. She was also an avid gardener who lovingly tended beautiful plants and flowers, while cultivating fruits and vegetables that she proudly canned and preserved for her family. Her garden and her kitchen were expressions of the love and care she so generously gave to those around her - they even resulted in several blue ribbons at the county fair.

Above all else, Mrs. Willingham was a woman of deep faith. Her love for her family was surpassed only by her love for the Lord. She faithfully served through teaching Sunday School, Bible Study, and leading Bible School...sharing her faith and wisdom with generations of community children over the years. She was a devoted member of Clear Creek United Methodist, Carnes Chapel F.C.M. Church, and, most recently, attended Samuels Chapel Methodist Church.

Her faith, her loving spirit, and the many gifts she shared with her family, friends, and church family will remain a lasting part of her legacy.

Mrs. Dollie Viola Payne Willingham was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, L.C. "Mac" Willingham. They were married on Christmas Day, 1947, between two large oak trees near the Etowah/Blount County line.

Mrs. Willingham was also preceded in death by her parents; Henry Gilbert "Gil" Payne and Lorene Elizabeth "Lizzie" Helms Payne, brothers; J.D. "Jay" Payne, William Clifford "Shorty" Payne, Henry Clarance Payne, and Paul David "Bud" Payne, sisters; Velma Mae Payne Peppers, Clara Bell Payne Eubanks, Helen Lucille Payne Davis, son-in-law; Gerald Ray Green, and her companion and best friend, her little dog "Coco".

She is survived by her daughter; Nancy Joan Willingham Green, and grandson; Adam Dale Green (Annaleigh Harris), along with several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Monday, August 31st, from 12pm until 2pm, at Morgan Funeral Home in Attalla. Funeral services will be held immediately following at 2pm, led by Rev. Gary Baswell and Dr. J. Lawrence Brasher.

Pallbearers will be Mark Willingham, Annaleigh Harris, Dale Callahan, David Callahan, Tim Cash, Glenda Hunter, and Debbie Walton.

Burial will be at Carnes Chapel F.C.M. Church, with Morgan Funeral Home & Crematorium, Attalla, presiding.