Grissom-Clark Funeral Home | Atlanta, GA

Obituary For Francine S. Willis

Mrs. Francine Willis of Decatur passed Wednesday, August 15, 2012.

Celebration of life for Mrs. Francine S. Willis will be held Monday, August 20, 2012 11:00 a.m. at Antioch-East Baptist Church 1223 Hardee St. SE. Rev. Dr. John F. Williams, Pastor. Pastor Mark A. Couch, Emmanuel Tabernacle Baptist Church, officiating. Interment, Kennedy Memorial Gardens.

On November 28, 1954, Francine Samuel Willis was born to the late Deacon Weaver and Edith Samuel Jr. in Washington, Georgia.

She joined Gibson Grove Baptist Church at an early age and later became an active member of Emmanuel Tabernacle Baptist Church where she served on the Usher Board and the Finance Committee. Fran, as she was affectionately called, graduated with honors from Washington Comprehensive High School and went to achieve a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Economics from Spelman College in 1976. Fran retired with 32 years of service from SunTrust Bank where she held the title of Executive Vice President of the Estate Tax Division.

As a young lady, she met and married the love of her life, Roy Willis. They cherished 24 loving years and out if this union a son, Jonathan R. Willis was born. Her cheerful, kind and compassionate disposition never faltered as she was a blessing to all who came in contact with her soft spoken voice and beautiful smile. Fran was preceded in death by her sister, Marie Samuel.

She leaves to cherish her memory a devoted husband, Roy Willis,; a dedicated son, Jonathan R. Willis; two step-sons, Andre and Marcus Willis; a step-daughter, Keisha Willis all of Riverdale; one goddaughter, Taila Norenberg; sisters, Valerie Gartrell of Washington, GA and Patricia S. Moore of Decatur, GA; brothers, Arthur (Gail) Samuel of Decatur, GA, Weaver (Beverly) Samuel of Leesburg, VA, Father Reginald Samuel of Houston, TX and Tommie Evans of Washington, GA; mother-in-law, Lula M. Willis of Washington, GA; sisters-in-law, Vivian (William) Brown of Ellenwood, GA and Jackie Willis of Philadelphia, PA; brothers-in-law, Bob (Jacque) Willis of Stone Mountain, GA, Arthur Willis of Washington, GA, Ozzie Willis of Philadelphia, PA and James (Ruby) Evans of Yeaton, PA and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation Sunday, August 19, 2012 from 2-8p.m. Grissom-Clark Funeral Home. 404-373-3191. www.grissom-clarkfh.com

Guest Book

My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Francine always celebrated life and I will truly miss her. Her friend always, Vicki Akins (former co-worker at SunTrust Bank)

- Vicki Akins

I know this is a very difficult and devastating time for everyone who knew Francine, especially the family. My prayer is that God will strengthen each of you, and comfort each of you, with His love, mercy, and grace. My heart is sadened because I knew Francine as a loving, kind, and caring person. I worked with her for 9 years in the Tax Div. at SunTrust Bank, and I have always known her to be very pleasant. May God our Heavenly Father, wrap each you in His Arms and cary you through this time of sorrow. My prayers will continue to be with you. To be absent from the body is to be present with the LORD. II Cor 5:8

- Catherine Truitt