Elinor Marion (Fall) Willis, 91, of Stuarts Draft, peacefully passed on Saturday, March 3, 2018, at Augusta Health in Fishersville, after a bout with pneumonia quickly followed by severe complications.
Elinor was born on March 26, 1926, in Worcester, Massachusetts, the daughter of the late Wilfrid and Marion (Jacobs) Fall. As she was growing up and attending school her immediate family lived in both Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Worcester, Massachusetts. She enjoyed and spent many summers on the Jacob’s family farm in New Hampshire.
As she was attending college, Elinor met and within one year married on June 4, 1946, her Christian and beloved life partner, Rev. David S. Willis, Jr. Thus began her life’s journey covering the next 71 years of marriage, a growing and treasured family, attentively serving within many United Methodist Church congregations and finally into their retirement years.
Elinor was a devoted, thoughtful and dedicated wife, daughter, mother and friend. Her home was lovingly cared for and always filled with the aroma of “from scratch”, home-cooked meals and baked goodies. In her early 40’s, once their four children had grown, she found herself as an empty nester and decided to go back to college. She went to Blue Ridge Community College and proceeded to graduate valedictorian of her class. She worked in an administrative capacity for a couple of different organizations and firms but always considered her profession to be as a homemaker. Elinor and David loved travel whether planned or spontaneous. Elinor insatiably enjoyed reading. She played piano and lead or sang in many choirs. They both enjoyed their church friends, having family close and entertaining often. She was active within many churches and brought her understated leadership skills, her varied talents as well as her bright smile and loving spirit as she gave more than 65 years of dedicated service to their Christian ministry.
She is now joined in heaven with her cherished husband, David. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her older sister, Esther (Fall) Supplee and a younger brother, Charles Fall and her oldest and very loved son, Jonathan S. Willis. Elinor was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Much-loved and surviving are her daughter, Beth G. (Willis) Daisey; sons, Charles T. Willis (Carolyn) and David S. Willis, III (Sharon); nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews from both the Willis and Fall side of her family.
Elinor’s memorial service will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at Calvary United Methodist Church, in Stuarts Draft. Pastor Charlie Reynolds and Pastor Nancy Vaughn will officiate.
Following the memorial and on-site burial service, we wish to invite all attending to please join our family in the church social hall for a celebration of life reception. We will offer light refreshments to those who cannot manage the walk to the burial site until those attending family and friends return from the service and join with you for a delicious reception in celebration of Elinor’s life.
Honorary pallbearers will be grand & great-granddaughters, Sherry Daisey (Smith), Sandra Daisey (Porcayo), Corrine Willis, Kate Smith, Elinor Smith, Nicole Porcayo, Rebecca Smith, Charlotte Smith and Emma Willis.
The Willis family would like to especially thank the thoughtful, attentive and loving care given by the Stuarts Draft Retirement Community to both their parents over their last years on earth.
In lieu of flowers, if you wish, please send a memorial contribution to Calvary United Methodist Church, 2179 Stuarts Draft Highway, Stuarts Draft, VA 24477.
Relatives and friends may share condolences and memories with the family online by visiting www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com
