Mrs. Ollie Willis

November 26, 1942 - April 22, 2020

Mrs. Ollie Willis, Age 77 of St. Louis, MO Ollie L. Willis was born November 26, 1942 to the late Ivy Yates, Jr. and Susie B. Yates in Desha, AR. She was the second of four children. Her brother, Clinton T. Yates, preceded her in death. She was educated in the St. Louis Public Schools graduating from Sumner High School in 1961. She later married the late John C. Willis, Jr. April 16, 1966. Ollie started working for the US Army Reserve Personnel Center July 1966. It wasn’t just work for Ollie she established great relationships that ultimately became long-term friendships. After 30 years of service she retired February 1997. Ollie confessed her life to Christ at an early age. She joined Central Baptist Church December 25, 2005 under the leadership of Robert C. Scott, Pastor. She became a member of the 4H – Helping Hands & Hospitable Hearts. As a member of 4H she did various tasks at the church. Ollie always had a friendly smile and loved being around people. Ollie had a volunteer spirit. She volunteered faithfully at Antioch Baptist Church Food Pantry on a weekly basis. She also volunteered at Christian Hospital North East as a receptionist. Ollie was the caregiver for several family members and friends. If she wasn’t volunteering, she would be baking her famous German Chocolate cake or making her peanut cluster candy. Some called Ollie “Friendly Bob” cause she never met a stranger. She was always talking to people and making others laugh. She departed this life on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at 11:45 pm after a brief illness. Ollie leaves to cherish her memories: 2 sisters, Connie M. Baskin and Janet (aka Ree) Yates; 3 nieces, Carol Yates & Clintonia Yates (Atlanta, GA) and Ericka Washington (Irvine, CA); 1 sister-in-law Emogene Yates, (Atlanta GA), 1 dear and special cousin Minnie L. Owens (Chicago, IL), a host of other relatives and family members, as well as her Central Baptist Church family; her dearest friends, Marie Mitchom, Jean Blackwell, Pat Hodges Smith, Gloria McCullough and Doris Adair and special nieces, Andrea Robinson, Kay Gage and Rene Perryman. Private viewing Monday, May 4th & Burial at Jefferson Barracks Wednesday, May 13th.