Dorothy R. Willis

Dorothy Reynolds Willis, 89, died Friday in Britthaven Nursing Center. She resided in Chapel Hill for the last 8 years to be close to her son. A native of Lincoln County, she was the daughter of the late S.R. and Lydia Mosteller Reynolds. Mrs. Willis was raised in the Long Shoals community and graduated from Tryon High School. In 1941, she married Charles E. "Ted" Willis, a local community leader and councilman in Dallas. For many years she worked in the hosiery industry and later in banking. Mrs. Willis was a faithful member of First Uneed Methodist Church in Dallas, where she was an original member of the Upper Room Sunday School Class, a member of the Women's Christian Society, a Sunday school teacher and youth leader and member of the Care and Share group. Dorothy Willis will be remembered for her steadfast devotion to her husband and family, and her keen abilities as a caregiver. A deeply generous woman, she derived great joy in giving to others and helping those ineeed. Surviving are her son, Charles Lamar Willis and wife, Shelia of Chapel Hill; her grandson, Charles E. "Chuck" Willis, II and wife, Becky of Dallas, NC; a great granddaughter, Leah Rebecca Willis; and two sisters, Betty Reynolds Norris of Phoenix, AZ and Jeaneeynolds Lyon of Kemah, TX. She was predeceased by her husband, Charles E. "Ted" Willis in 1990. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Tuesday from First Uneed Methodist Church, with burial following in Long Creek Cemetery. Friends may visit Tuesday at church 12:30 PM until service time. Contributions in Dorothy's memory may be made to her church, 301 W. Main St. Dallas, 28034.