Maxine Elaine Willis

Mrs. Willis was born August 3, 1920 in Ashland, NE, daughter of the late Herman H. Matison and Ida Mae Hoffmaster Matison.

Max, as her friends called her, worked as a telephone operator before World War II, reaching the position of supervisor. During the war, she became a defense worker, as did many women at that time. Later, she became a government civil service employee, working on both Air Force and Marine bases, and rose to a high rating level, especially for a woman in the mid twentieth century. In her later years, she and her partner, Lou Haas, lived in Georgia, Florida, Washington State, and Cherokee Village, AR.

Max is survived by her partner of 22 years, Lou Haas; stepson, Charles Robert Willis and his wife Bonnie; stepdaughter, Ann Reese and her husband Max; son, Michael Lawson Bishop and his wife Jeri; nieces, Kay Paine and Nancy Lacer; grandchildren, Sherri Myers, Pattie Capone, Rob Willis, Bobby Willis, Jeff Gum, Judith Snoitch, Kevan Gum, and Stephanie Bishop Loftin; several great grandchildren, including Annabel Loftin and Joel Loftin; several great great grandchildren; and several great nieces.

The family will host a memorial 2:30 P.M. Sunday, February 3, 2013 at First United Methodist Church of Pine Mountain with The Reverend Martha Dye officiating.

In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis, TN in memory of Mrs. Maxine Elaine Willis.

Arrangements are by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 1010 Mooty Bridge Road, LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 884-8636