Evelyn Thomas Willis died Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015, at her residence in Valley Park. She was 97.

Mrs. Willis was born Dec. 2, 1917, in New Hope, Alabama.

Her  family moved to Earle, Arkansas, when she was an infant, and she was educated In the Earle Public School System, then known as Sunflower Jr. College in Moorhead. She spent her adult life in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi, where she was involved in farming with her husband and later with her sons.

She was a member of the Valley Park Baptist Church.

Mrs. Willis was preceded in death by her parents, T.J. and Gala Medders Taylor; her husband, L.G. Willis Sr.; one son, Richard Willis; two brothers, R.C. Taylor and Tommy Taylor; two sisters, Viki Taylor Thomas and Uvee King; one granddaughter, Viki Willis Long; and two infant grandsons, Thomas Edward Willis and Chad Everet Willis.

Survivors include two sons, L.G. “Buddy” Willis Jr. of Vicksburg and Jesse Willis of Valley Park; sister, JoAnn Daniels of Marion, Arkansas; 14 grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Friday at Glenwood Funeral Home in Vicksburg with the Rev. Tony Winkler officiating. Burial will follow at Valley Park Cemetery with the Rev. Ronnie Purser officiating.

Visitation will be Friday from 9 a.m. until the hour of service.

Pallbearers will be Mitchell Willis, Josh Morgan, Bryce Morgan, Jess Willis, Luke Willis, R.G. Willis, Jamie Creel and Tyler Willis. Honorary pallbearers will be Robert Hensley, Argil Pennington, Ted Porter, Larry Whitten and Dave Yearwood.

Memorials may be made to Refuge Church, 6202 Indiana Ave., Vicksburg, MS 39180 or Valley Park Baptist Church.