Mrs. Phyllis Joanne Willis

Mrs. Phyllis Joanne Thompson Willis was born on September 8, 1952 in Amonate, Virginia to the late Barbara and Rev. Benton T. Thompson Jr. of Hurricane, West Virginia. Phyllis was the middle of nine children; Larry, Tyrone, Nina, Randolph, Debbie, Carol, Benton III, and Zachary. It was apparent that she had been gifted by God to teach when she first began student teaching at 20 years old at Lincoln Jr. High School in Charleston, West Virginia. She went on to receive a Bachelor’s degree from West Virginia State College while pledging Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and a Master’s degree from Howard University. Soon thereafter, Phyllis found her soul mate and partner for life Michael Lee Willis and they were married in Charleston, West Virginia on August 11, 1984. They moved to Atlanta, Georgia and had two wonderful children, Christopher and Phylicia. Señora Willis, as referred to by many, has taught both English and Spanish, Jr. High School and Sr. High School, in West Virginia and Georgia, to several thousand students. Always patient and generous with her time and talents to parents, students and co-workers alike. Señora Willis taught for the past 25 years at Columbia High School in Decatur, Georgia. On December 21, 2016, she was called home by the Lord. She is preceded in death by her husband, Michael Lee Willis. The family legacy is being continued by their two children: Christopher and Phylicia. Her remaining siblings are brothers Tyrone Johnson of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Randolph Thompson of Lawrenceville, Georgia, Rev. Benton T. Thompson III of Ellenwood, Georgia, Zachary Thompson of Hurricane, West Virginia, and step brother James Mann of White Sulfur Springs, West Virginia. She will also be missed by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, Dream Girls, friends and her extended community of family, along with the AKA sorority, Victory World Church, and Columbia High School. Funeral service will be held Friday January 6, 2016 12:00 PM at Victory World Church 5905 Brook Hollow Parkway Norcross, GA 30071. Interment to be held at Gwinnett Memorial Park 925 Lawrenceville, GA 30046. Visitation on Thursday January 5, 2016 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM at Gregory B. Levett and Sons Funeral Home - Gwinnett Chapel 914 Scenic Hwy. Lawrenceville, GA 30045. (770) 338-5558.

Tributes

Mrs. Phyllis Joanne Willis

September 8, 1952 - December 21, 2016