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Independence, MO —
Ora Lee Willis was born November 24, 1919, in Knob Noster, Mo., to the late Louie Mack and Elnore (Reed) Rucker. Ora Lee departed this life on Monday, April 23, 2012.
Mrs. Willis is a devoted member of Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, where she was affectionately known as “Mother Willis.” She was a Sunday School teacher, served on the Stewards Board and the Stewardesses Board. She was the President of the Sarah Jane Johnson Women’s Missionary Society and was the 5th Episcopal District Cleo B. Love Hall of Recognition Inductee. She retired from the Independence Sanitarium Hospital after 40 years as a LPN. Mrs. Willis was a member of the Church Women United. She served on the City of Independence Human Relations Commission. After retirement, she took several courses at Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Mo., and taught Bible Study each Wednesday at General Baptist Nursing Home in Independence, Mo. In 1977 she traveled to the Holy Land. Mrs. Willis cared for the sick and shut-in. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Mr. John Willis.
She leaves to cherish her memories one brother, Harold William Rucker (Yvette); one daughter, Opal Bernice Rucker-Payne; one grandson, Albert Eugene Rucker; along with a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends not mentioned nor have they been forgotten.
Celebration of life will be Monday, May 7, at St. Paul A.M.E. Church, 200 E. Lexington Ave., Independence, MO 64050. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church. The Celebration will begin at 11 a.m. with The Rev. Margaretta Smith Narcisse, MDiv., Officiant. Interment will be at Mount Washington Forever Cemetery, Independence, Mo.
Arrangements: Elite Funeral Chapel, 11525 Blue Ridge Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64134, 816-765-0141, www.elitefuneralchapelservices.com.
Ora Lee Willis was born November 24, 1919, in Knob Noster, Mo., to the late Louie Mack and Elnore (Reed) Rucker. Ora Lee departed this life on Monday, April 23, 2012.
Mrs. Willis is a devoted member of Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, where she was affectionately known as “Mother Willis.” She was a Sunday School teacher, served on the Stewards Board and the Stewardesses Board. She was the President of the Sarah Jane Johnson Women’s Missionary Society and was the 5th Episcopal District Cleo B. Love Hall of Recognition Inductee. She retired from the Independence Sanitarium Hospital after 40 years as a LPN. Mrs. Willis was a member of the Church Women United. She served on the City of Independence Human Relations Commission. After retirement, she took several courses at Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Mo., and taught Bible Study each Wednesday at General Baptist Nursing Home in Independence, Mo. In 1977 she traveled to the Holy Land. Mrs. Willis cared for the sick and shut-in. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Mr. John Willis.
She leaves to cherish her memories one brother, Harold William Rucker (Yvette); one daughter, Opal Bernice Rucker-Payne; one grandson, Albert Eugene Rucker; along with a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends not mentioned nor have they been forgotten.
Celebration of life will be Monday, May 7, at St. Paul A.M.E. Church, 200 E. Lexington Ave., Independence, MO 64050. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church. The Celebration will begin at 11 a.m. with The Rev. Margaretta Smith Narcisse, MDiv., Officiant. Interment will be at Mount Washington Forever Cemetery, Independence, Mo.
Arrangements: Elite Funeral Chapel, 11525 Blue Ridge Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64134, 816-765-0141, www.elitefuneralchapelservices.com.
