THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 20, 1997 TAG: 9702200005
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B6 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 36 lines
Isaac Odell ``Ike'' Willis, 70, of the 6300 block of Avon Road, died Feb. 16, 1997, in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.
Born in Vanceboro, N.C., he was the funeral director and manager for T.E. Cooke-Twilight Funeral Home. He was a member and a former trustee of Mount Gilead Baptist Church of Norfolk and had been an ordained deacon since November of 1989. He was a past president of Virginia Mortuary Association and member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. He was also listed in Who's Who of 1995. He was the son of the late Elzena Willis and Odell Sylvester Willis.
Survivors include his wife, Rosalee Drayton Willis; two daughters, Stephanie Willis Mackey of Virginia Beach and Susan Leola Willis of Ellicott City, Md.; a son, Anthony Willis of Ellicott City; two brothers, Bishop L.E. Willis Sr. of Norfolk and James Oneill Willis of Cape May, N.J.; grandchildren, Brandon Alexander Richardson of Suffolk and Calvin James Mackey of Virginia Beach; stepmother, Mrs. Leola Willis of Norfolk; son-in-law, Calvin Edward Mackey of Virginia Beach; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many, many friends.
A funeral will be conducted at noon Saturday in Mount Gilead Baptist Church, 1057 Kennedy St., Norfolk. Burial will be in Rosewood Memorial Park Cemetery, Virginia Beach. Viewing of the body will begin at 2 p.m. today in T.E. Cooke-Twilight Funeral Home. A wake will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in the funeral home. The body will lie in state at Mount Gilead Baptist Church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday, Feb. 22. Family and friends will assemble for the funeral at 11:15 a.m. at 6313 Avon Road, Norfolk. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY