Barbara Willis

The one and only Barbara Ann Willis was born on March 6, 1937, in Savannah, Georgia, to Rajus James and Lauretta Lawton. She was the oldest of 9 children and the first grandchild to her maternal grandparents, Joseph Lawton and Fairlie Orr, and paternal grandparents, Adam and Louella James.

Barbara was educated in the Chatham County School District and at an early age joined Hanna Chapel AME Church, which later became Flipper Chapel AME, all while in Savannah.

Barbara was blessed to meet the love of her life, John Edward Willis, while he served in the United States Air Force, and the two married on March 18, 1955, in Ridgeland, SC. Shortly thereafter, they moved to John’s hometown of Columbus, Ohio. Barbara and John shared a love that withstood the test of time and were blessed to have 3 children together: John Edward Willis, Jr., Lisa Renee Johnson Marin, and Ina Maria Davis.

Upon arriving in Columbus, Barbara began her professional career at Western Electric, where she remained employed for 46 years before retiring in 2002. Barbara stayed with the company even as it grew, diversified, and changed names to The Bells, Lucent Technologies, and finally AT&T.

Barbara dedicated her life to being a nurturer, provider, and devoted wife, mother, sister, and friend to all she encountered. In her cooking days, she was a go-to chef who loved the kitchen. Throughout her life, she was most devoted to her relationship with Christ. After leaving Savannah and Hanna Chapel AME, she and John, Sr. were baptized at Hebrew Baptist Church in Columbus, Ohio. She later moved her membership to Macedonia Baptist Church, where she served as a soprano in the Mass Choir and the youth coordinator for many years. She last became a member of Christ Memorial Baptist Church of Columbus. Barbara served wherever she found herself and was devoted in any service she gave.

In the early morning hours of October 25, 2025, Barbara heard the voice of Jesus compelling her to come to her Eternal Home and rest. She was greeted at Heaven’s gates by her loving husband of 48 years, John Willis, Sr., her daughter Lisa Marin, parents, grandparents, and siblings Rajus, Adam, Frank, and Addie.

She leaves to carry her legacy children, John (Gina) Willis, Jr., and Ina (Gerry) Davis; grandchildren Joshua and Justin (Jasmine) Willis, Austin Johnson, Loretta (Kenneth), Arthur (Tashana), Dyamond, Londan, and Drake Davis; 19 great grandchildren; siblings Rose Jones, Elouise Williams, Carol White, Rick James; sister-in-law Ina Peterson; brother-in-law Alexander (Delores) Willis; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family and friends; special nieces and nephews Linda (Charles) Hatcher, “her twin” Angela James, Robin Jones, and Chuckie Willis.

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