Diane Lee Willis

Diane Yvonne (Stewart) Willis was born to the late Earl M. Stewart, Jr and Ruby Ophelia Davis on March 16, 1945, in Washington, DC. Diane was the third child of four children.

Diane (affectionately known as Dee) was educated through the DC Public School System and graduated from Burdick Vocational High School in 1963.

Dee met and later married the late Charles Ray Willis, and to this union two sons were born: Charles Ray, Jr and Ricardo Matthew.

In 1971, Dee enlisted and served in the United States Air Force where she was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.

Dee was employed with the U.S. Federal Government at the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons, as a Computer Programmer for 31 years from which she retired in 2006.

Dee was blessed with her first grandchild Ayanna Jaims in 1997, followed by her second grandchild Amare Jordan in 2010. She doted on her grandchildren and made sure they always knew how much she loved and cherished them.

Dee was active and had many hobbies including bowling, photography, and riding scooters. She was an avid bowler, and her love of the sport took her across the United States as she competed in numerous tournaments. Dee was often the photographer at several of her family and friends’ functions over the years. Lastly, riding her scooter brought her much joy and peace. Her nickname while riding was ‘Scooter Dee’.

Dee had an assertive personality, however, was a very sweet and caring person with an amazing can do attitude and was always helpful to anyone in need.

In addition to her parents, Dee was preceded in death by her grandmother Ruby Parr and her two brothers: Earl M. Stewart III and Charles W. Stewart.

She leaves to cherish her fond memories, two sons: Charles R. Willis Jr. (Trudie) and Ricardo M. Willis (Jeff); two grandchildren, Ayanna, and Amare, one sister, Dorene Ellis; former brother-in-law, Andrew Ellis; one niece Kara Ellis; one nephew; Robert Stewart and one great niece Kaylee Skeens, along with a host of other relatives and friends.