Ina Patricia Willis

Ina Patricia Willis, 83, of New Bern, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 30, 2026. Ina was born on November 15, 1942, in Morehead City, North Carolina, to the late Kenneth and Iova Lewis Willis.

Born into a military family alongside her two sisters and brother, Ina spent much of her childhood living in various cities across the United States. Among her favorite places were New Orleans, Hawaii, and Miami. It was in Miami that she met the love of her life, Linwood “Lin” Willis. In a twist of fate, they shared the same last name, came from families rooted in the same area of North Carolina, and later discovered they were distantly related seven generations apart.

Ina and Lin built a life together and raised their two children in Southern Maryland and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose greatest joy was her family.

An avid reader throughout her life, Ina could often be found curled up with a good book. She loved shopping, fashion, shoes, and makeup, and enjoyed keeping up with the latest styles. Always encouraging her children to be their best selves, she enrolled her daughter Michelle in modeling school as a teenager to help her overcome her shyness and build confidence. She was actively involved in her daughter’s participation in Job’s Daughters and treasured the friendships and memories made during those years.

Ina attended the Methodist church where her daughter would later be married and carried with her the values of kindness, respect, and compassion throughout her life. Known for her grace and gentle spirit, she believed in treating others with dignity and always putting family first.

Throughout much of her adult life, Ina faced significant health challenges with remarkable strength and determination. After being diagnosed with Cushing’s disease while pregnant with her daughter, she underwent major surgery and adapted to a lifetime of managing complex medical conditions. Despite these challenges, she remained resilient, independent, and devoted to those she loved, never allowing her health struggles to overshadow the joy she found in family, friendships, and everyday life.

Ina worked as an accountant for the Maryland Tobacco Growers Association in Cheltenham, Maryland, while raising her children. Later, she transitioned into medical billing and office management for Dr. Majlessi, a neurologist in Temple Hills, Maryland. She remained in that position until retiring in the mid-2000s, when she and Lin returned to North Carolina.

She was also a lifelong football fan and could often be found cheering on her beloved Washington Redskins, now known as the Washington Commanders.

Thankful for her life and continuing in her memory are her husband, Linwood Francis Willis; her daughter, Ina Michelle Shaffer and husband Robert “Bob” Shaffer; granddaughter Ashley Noel Rhodes and husband Cody Rhodes; grandson Robert Willis Shaffer “Bobby”; great-granddaughters Arayla Michelle Rhodes, Rory Grace Rhodes, and Aspen May Shaffer; sister Joan Lewis and husband Richard Lewis; sister Mary Corey; and several beloved nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Ina was preceded in death by her beloved son, John Roark Willis, her brother Kenneth Willis and her brother-in-law, Milton Corey.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff of CarolinaEast Medical Center in New Bern, North Carolina, for the exceptional care and compassion they provided to Ina during her final months and especially during her last week of life. Their dedication helped ensure she received the comfort, dignity, and quality of life she deserved.

The family would also like to thank the staff of Brook Stone Living Center for the kindness, consideration, and support they extended to Ina, Linwood, and our entire family. Your compassion and professionalism meant more than words can express, and we are deeply grateful for the care you provided.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, the American Stroke Association, or the American Heart Association. Donations of time, volunteer service, or other support to Brook Stone Living Center are also appreciated.

Though she will be deeply missed, Ina’s love, strength, kindness, and devotion to her family will remain in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

Cotten Funeral Home and Crematory in honored to serve the family and friends of Ina Patricia Willis.