Shirley Jean Morris Willis June 11, 1934 – December 17, 2018 Share this obituary Send Flowers Sign Guestbook| Send Sympathy Card Shirley Jean Morris Willis, 84, of Bella Vista, died December 17, 2018 in her home. Her life will be remembered on December 28, 2018 with visitation at noon and the funeral at 1:30 p.m. at Bella Vista Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the International Mission Board at www.
imb.org. Shirley was born June 11, 1934 in Nowata, Oklahoma to Clarence and Beulah (Ozbun) Morris. She graduated from Nowata High School in 1952 and Oklahoma Baptist University in 1955.
She was a summer missionary to Native Americans in Arizona and Mississippi while in college. She was married to Avery Thomas Willis, Jr on December 17, 1955 until his death in 2010. Shirley was consistent, steady, faithful, and always had a willing heart to help others.
Avery and Shirley served 10 years in the pastorate in Texas and then 15 years in Indonesia with the International Mission Board. Shirley ministered in her church and home during the next 15 years while Avery worked at Lifeway in Nashville, TN and when Avery returned to the IMB in Richmond, VA as Senior Vice-President, they traveled around the world ministering to families. She volunteered countless hours at the International Learning Center serving missionary families who were about to leave for their new countries.
Upon retirement in 2004, they built their home on Lake Ann in Bella Vista. They were members of Bella Vista Baptist Church. Shirley loved to teach the Bible and was the initial teacher of the Radiant Rubies Sunday School class.
She was also a paradox. Born in the heart of the Depression, she was cost conscious when spending on herself, but she was known as generous by others. Although she was born in a town of less than 5,000 and didn’t travel past Oklahoma City until high school, Shirley traveled to 116 countries, circumnavigating the globe multiple times.
She preferred structure and routine, but she embraced uncertainty and chaos for the sake of the Gospel when choosing to go to Indonesia as a missionary. Shirley is survived by her five children: Randy (Denyce) Willis, Sherrie (Steve) Brown, Wade (Suzanne) Willis, Krista (Cliff) McAtee, and Brett (Gretchen) Willis; 16 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren, her brother, Norman (Carolyn) Morris and double-cousins Phyllis (Bob) Burger and Carol Peters. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sisters Bette Lefler and cousin Galene Jordan.
Arrangements are by Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory, 2258 Forest Hills Blvd. , Bella Vista, Arkansas. On-line condolences may be made at www.
funeralmation.com. SERVICES Visitation Friday, December 28, 2018 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM Bella Vista Baptist Church 50 East Lancashire Blvd. Bella Vista, Arkansas 72714 Get Directions on Google Maps Celebration of Life Friday, December 28, 2018 1:30 PM Bella Vista Baptist Church 50 East Lancashire Blvd.
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