Annie Willis Obituary

Dear Gary & Family,

On behalf of Annie´s Aunt Nan, my sisters Sherry, Susanne, our husbands, children and the rest of our families, we want to extend our heartfelt condolences upon the passing of our dear sweet niece and cousin Annie. We all have only the very fondest memories of Annie, who was always so welcoming and kind. My own personal memories from the earliest days of my childhood stopping at the big white house on the hill that overlooked the big curve on Kyle´s Ford Road are wonderful. Annie was one of the very nicest ladies, a testament to the upbringing of a truly good father, my Uncle Hube and mother, my Aunt Mary. They were among the kindest people that I have ever known and I loved them dearly. When my sister Susie called me to give me the sad news, I was actually in my bed covered with one quilt made by Annie where she had embroidered my and Hector´s names on it, and one made by my Aunt Mary. Over the years I bought many quilts from Annie and Aunt Mary, so that our family members could all have a family treasure. The quilts are with family in the Philippines and across the country. I was so proud of Annie´s talents that I even sent one of her quilts as a gift to then Pope John Paul II, now St. John Paul II, through a family friend, Father Jack Druding who personally delivered the beautiful quilt to his Holiness as an example of Southern American handiwork. Somewhere among the artifacts, Annie´s quilt is in the Vatican in Rome. Her talent has circled the globe in the form of her beautiful quilts, and they keep my daughters, their husbands, my husband and myself warm at night. Every day of our lives, Annie will continue to be with us from the moment of laying our heads down at night until we rise every morning. The first and the last thing every day. That is so special to us as Annie was, is now, and will always be. We know that you will miss her day to day presence, but we know, too, that you are happy that she has been reunited with her mom and dad to await you and everyone else who loved her.