Dorothy Brown Willis was truly a great wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin, neighbor, and friend. Dorothy, 105, passed away peacefully on December 29, 2017 at her home. She was born in Sumter County on October 5, 1912 to the late Rev. Miller and Eva James Brown, Sr. She attended Sumter County Public Schools, including Morris College when it was a grammar school. After her mother became ill, being the oldest child, she had to leave school to care for her mother and younger siblings. Dorothy worked part time as a housekeeper, a laundry attendant and also at the Pigeon Plant. However, she would only work part time because she wanted to be home to care for her children; she was a full time homemaker.
Dorothy became a member of St. James United Methodist Church at an early age. She was a faithful member and served in various capacities including Communion Stewardess, Older Adults and The United Methodist Women. She received recognition for years of dedicated work by being honored with Outstanding Service Awards from the Church and the United Methodist Women. Dorothy met her husband, the late Marion Willis, at St. James and was married on September 3, 1933- a marriage that would last nearly 69 years. To this union, four children were born: Laurine, Marian, Nathaniel Sr., and Deloris.
Dorothy was a woman that was beloved in the neighborhood. She was always willing to lend a helping hand, take in the neighbor's laundry if it was raining, give someone a ride to work when their car broke down, held Easter Egg hunts for the neighborhood children, and read letters and important papers for her peers who could not read. She was known to be trustworthy and served as treasurer for many years of the Neighborhood Ladies Club. She was also a member of the Burial League. Her favorite past-times were baking. She made delicious brownies and sweet potato pies. She also loved gardening, hand sewing, and making quilts. When she was a young adult, she really enjoyed going to Atlantic Beach during the summer. Dorothy was a praying woman who enjoyed reading her Bible.
She will be remembered as having a sweet and kind nature, a warm smile and heart of gold. Dorothy was beloved by all who knew her.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Marion Willis, and her eldest daughter, Laurine Willis Patterson; four siblings: Miller Brown, Jr., Emma Brown, Frazier Brown, Sr., Lucille Brown Dicks: son-in-law: Luther T. Clemmons, Sr., and play daughter, Earnestine Smalls Mack.
She leaves to cherish many precious memories three children: Marian Willis of Sumter, SC, Nathaniel (Kay) Willis, Sr. of Augusta, GA, and Deloris Clemmons of El Paso, TX; nine grandchildren: Margaret Patterson of Snellville, GA, Roni (Charles) White of Woodland Hills, CA, Ollie (Anna) Patterson of Acworth, GA, Marian (Elder Alonzo) Austin of Riverdale, GA, Desiree' Clemmons of El Paso, TX, Sharon Willis of Sumter, SC, Luther T. Clemmons, Jr. of Warldorf, MD, Nathaniel (Zadora) Willis, Jr. of Pensacola, FL, and Shanika Willis of Augusta, GA; fourteen great-grandchildren; twelve great-great grandchildren; two great-great-great grandchildren; one God-son: Reginald Butler of Columbia, SC; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
Public Viewing will be held on Friday, January 5, 2018 from 2-6pm at Job's Mortuary.
Mrs. Willis will be placed in the church on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 11am for viewing until the hour of service.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 12 noon at St. James United Methodist Church, 720 Broad St, Sumter, SC 29150, Rev. Cheryl Johnson , Officiating.
Interment will follow in Hillside Memorial Park.
Family will receive friends at her home, 16 S Milton, Sumter, SC 29150.