Barbara Pratt Willis

Barbara Pratt Willis of Fredericksburg, Virginia died at home May 17, 2021 after a prolonged illness. Barbara was born May 7, 1934 to Richard Turner Pratt, Jr. and Frances Buckley Pratt of Camden Farm, Caroline County, Virginia. She was the granddaughter of Richard Turner Pratt, Sr. and Courtenay Crump Pratt, also of Camden and Charles Robinson Buckley and Elvira Noll Buckley of Fredericksburg, Virginia. She attended Westhampton College, Richmond, VA where she played varsity field hockey and varsity basketball and was graduated with a B.A. in History. In 1956, she married Jere M. H. Willis, Jr. of Fredericksburg, VA. Barbara is survived by her husband Jere M. H. Willis, Jr.; their four sons and daughters-in-law Jere M. H. Willis, III and Marianna Leeds Willis, Richard Turner Pratt Willis and Kathryn Van Horn Willis, Gordon Fitzhugh Willis and Victoria Ann Bucur Willis, Charles Robinson Willis and Natasha Loboda Willis; ten grandchildren Allison Willis Harmon (Anthony), Jere M. H. Willis, IV (Hemilse), Richard Turner Pratt Willis, Jr. (Sarah), Robert Buckley Hart Willis (Codie), Phoebe Anne Willis (Mayme), Larkin Noll Willis (Edward), Gordon Fitzhugh Willis, Jr. (Joshua), Catesby Bucur Willis, Vitaly Loboda Willis (Allyson) and Charles Robinson Buckley Willis; and four great- grandchildren Leeds Barbara Harmon, Kit Catesby Harmon, Elizabeth Catesby Willis, and Ellery Ann Willis. She is also survived by her two sisters: Alice Pratt Moter (Lawrence) and Frances Pratt Willis (John). Barbara grew up on Camden Farm (a National Historic Landmark) in Caroline County, VA where her interests in nature and history were born. Her father passed his love of the outdoors on to her, which she, in turn, passed on to her children and grandchildren. Camden was also the site of several American Indian villages and archeological digs. This early hands-on exposure led to a lifelong passion for the preservation of Virginia’s multifaceted history and to her becoming a naturalist and avid gardener. Her many interests were reflected in her active community involvement including, but not limited to, Rappahannock Valley Garden Club (President), the Garden Club of Virginia (Director), Rappahannock River Basin Committee, James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library, Virginiana Reference Librarian and Historian, Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc. and the George Washington Bicentennial (Chairperson). Barbara was an active member of Saint George’s Episcopal Church, Fredericksburg, VA serving as a vestryman, on the Nave Renovation Committee, on the Rector Search Committee, and as Lay Eucharistic Minister. She was instrumental in obtaining designation of Saint George’s Episcopal Church as a National Registration of Historical Places. Her community involvement led to numerous recognitions, including Woman of the Year 2015, Girls Scouts of Virginia Women of Distinction 2012, Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc. 1983, 1995, and 2009, and The Rose Gouverneur Hoes Memorial Medal. Barbara had a competitive spirit for sports and games. She loved a brisk game of bridge or challenging tennis match. A graveside service will be held at the Confederate Cemetery in Fredericksburg on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Barbara’s memory to your favorite charity.