Jamir Harrison Willis

On Wednesday, July 2, 2025, our sweet Jamir Harrison Willis gained his angel wings at just 6 years and 9 months old. Though his time on earth was short, his life was absolutely full of love, laughter, curiosity, and sparkle.

Born on October 12, 2018, at Duke University Hospital in Durham, NC, Jamir came into the world a fighter. As a bright-eyed preemie, he spent his first 6 months in the NICU, already showing the strength, willpower, and loud opinions that would define his joyful journey through life.

Jamir grew up between Jacksonville, NC, Phoenix, AZ, and eventually New Bern, NC, where he made his mark as a bright star everywhere he went. He graduated Kindergarten from Bear Town Academy on May 30, 2025, a milestone that brought him and his family so much pride.

Jamir was the beloved son of Kehrie Priest and Jeremiah Willis (Stephania), and the best big brother to his baby brother, Elias Willis. He was cherished by his grandparents, Rev. Dr. Thomas “PopPop” and Margaret “Teeta” Priest, and Ronnie “Grandad” and Lora “Grandma” Willis. He will also live in the hearts of his loving aunts and uncles, Missalè P. Pearson (Demond), Ronnie (Ashley) Willis, Ramsey (Nicole) Willis, Ramone (Kelly) Davis, Ryan Davis, Randy (Becca) Willis, Tenai Willis and Andre (Rachel) Willis, as well as his bonus grandparents, Hector and Veronica Martinez, bonus aunts Dariana and Jocelyn Martinez, and a huge village of aunties, uncles, cousins, and friends who adored him beyond measure.

Jamir had a deep love for life’s simple joys: monster trucks, bubbles, chalk art, bug costumes, Mario Kart and his signature version of a wide receiver football using his trusty stuffed lion. He was known to zoom through the house with his roller skate bus, stopping at each room to pick up “passengers” — and if you were lucky enough to be on his route, you knew it came with laughs.

An imaginative soul, Jamir was a singer, a question-asker, a chalk muralist, a backyard scientist, and a garden explorer. He loved digging in the dirt, learning about roly-polies, worms, bees, and butterflies — and he never missed a chance to chase a moonbeam or marvel at the stars.

Also, holidays were his jam — especially Easter and Christmas. He didn’t care how many eggs he found, only that there was candy in his basket and a photo with the Easter Bunny. And when it came to Christmas, if Teeta wasn’t fast enough on that tree setup, Jamir would take charge, pulling out ornaments and decorating with glee.

Jamir lived his 6 years with a big heart, a sharp mind, and a soul that loved hard. He gave the best hugs, sang his own songs, and saw the magic in every moment. Though his time here was short, the joy he brought into the world was massive — a light that cannot be dimmed.

We will carry his laughter, his questions, his songs, and his love in our hearts forever. Jamir’s life was not defined by the number of his days, but by the abundance of his spirit.

Fly high, sweet Jamir. Thank you for choosing us.