Dorotha Byrd Willis

Funeral service for Mrs. Dorotha Byrd Willis, 96, of Big Sandy will be held Monday, May 18, 2020, at 10:30 A.M., at the First Baptist Church of Big Sandy with Bro. Bill Weaver officiating. Interment will be held at Little Mound Cemetery under the direction of Croley Funeral Home. The family will receive friends on Sunday, May 17, 2020, from 2:00 until 6:00 P.M. at Croley Funeral Home in Gilmer. Mrs. Willis passed away Monday, May 11, 2020, at her home in Big Sandy surrounded by her family.
Mrs. Willis was born on January 12, 1924, in Honey Creek Community, Wood County, TX, to the late Abraham S. and Mary Jane (Mamie) Tucker Byrd. She was a teacher at Big Sandy ISD until her retirement in 1986, a faithful member of the First Baptist Church in Big Sandy, a member of the board of directors of the Big Sandy Museum, and a long-time member of the Order of Eastern Star. Mrs. Willis married Eugene Dale Willis on October 12, 1946; they were married for 58 years.
She is survived by her sons, Donald Willis and B.J. Willis and his wife, Jean; daughters, Sherry Johnson and Melanie Shelton and her husband, Raymond; sister in law, Marjorie Byrd. She is also survived by numerous treasured nieces and nephews, including Julia Zillmer and James Pool, who she raised, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and grand-nieces and grand-nephews to whom she was always “Gran” or “Aunt Dot” or “Aunt Dorthy.”
Mrs. Willis is preceded in death by her husband, Dale Willis, son-in-law, Sam Johnson, daughter-in-law, Carolyn (Cagle) Willis, grandson Nathan Pool, her parents, Abraham and Mamie Byrd, ten brothers, and one sister.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Big Sandy, P.O. Box 658, Big Sandy, TX 75755, or to a charity of your choice.
Funeral service for Mrs. Willis will be live-streamed on the First Baptist Church of Big Sandy’s Facebook page at 10:30 on Monday for those who are unable to attend.