- Date Of Birth: February 24, 1935
- Date Of Death: July 21, 2020
- State: Ohio
Willie Ann (Cook) Willis was born February 24, 1935 to Willie James Cook and Mary Lou (Heard) Cook.
Ann accepted Christ at an early age at Clair Chapel Methodist Church. She was a graduate of South High School and studied Geriatrics at The Ohio State University. Ann worked as activity coordinator for The Forum at Knightsbridge in Columbus, Ohio.
As a teenager, Ann sang in a small group on the radio. She later became a devoted member of The Sassy Southside Sisters. Ann enjoyed writing plays as well as planning teas and fundraisers for churches. She loved to cook, and boy could she. Not to mention, she was always dressed in the latest and greatest fashions, topped off with hats that definitely turned heads.
This woman of God faithfully played and or directed and sang in the choirs at Mt. Hermon Baptist Church, Second Baptist Church in Circleville, Ohio, Bethel Missionary Baptist in Morristown, TN, Pleasant Baptist Church in Knoxville, TN and Clair United Methodist Church in Columbus, Ohio.
Preceding Ann in her death were parents: Willie James and Mary Lou Cook; son Warren Lewis Willis; brothers James Edward and Charles Clyde Cook; sister-in-law Barbara Cook; cousins Mary Carter and Curtis Johnson; and sisters in Christ Cozine Short and Alversa Clifford.
Leaving to cherish her memory, her daughters LaNita R. Willis and Cozine Y. Bohanan of Columbus, Ohio; Jeannine Drummond of Clinton, TN; Daughter-in-law Rene Willis; Grandchildren Justin (Lesel) Hutchins, Tenille (Sebah) Leftenant, TeAndrea (Nakai) Willis Sr., Ashley C. Bohana, Terrell Bohana and Aliscia (Donald) Fullum of Columbus, Ohio; Lakisha Sailors, Atlanta, Georgia; Clinton Willis of Clinton, TN; great-grandchildren Caleb Martic, Semaj Clark, Kalsis Love, TeAndre Willis II, Chaniya Laftenant, Justice Willis, Tyani Willis, LeCrea Willis, Cameron Willis, Dallas Fullum, Trevon Chavis II, Houston Fullum and Austyn Fullum; nieces Cynthia (Henry) Jackson and Debbie (Eugene) Griffin; nephew James Lafayette Cook; Brothers-in-law Robert Willis, Sr.; Sisters-in-law Hazel White, Joan Robinson and Kim Willis of Clinton, TN; special cousins Clair Thomas (aka Twin), Karen Cook, Cathy Cook; special friend Francis Smith. A host of loving nieces, nephews, friends and church community.
