Nancy Willis

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Nancy L. Willis, 76, of Joplin, made Heaven her new home Tuesday, April 8, at 11:07pm at Freeman Hospital after a long illness. She was born February 24, 1938 in Greenwood, Missouri to Means and Inez (Starr) Hadley. She married James Willis on May 11, 1963. He preceded her in death in 2004. Survivors include her children, Nancy Willis-Smith and husband Kevin, of Mindenmines, MO, and Michelle Anderson, of Carthage, and her step-son, Jim Willis, of Joplin. Grandchildren include Amanda, Thomas, and Callista Smith, of Mindenmines, and Kylea, Nicholas, and Marady Anderson of Carthage, Michael Crandell of Amarillo, TX and Lisa Bielenberg, of Yorktown, VA, and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a step-daughter, Lianna Crandell, in 2008. She was preceded in death by her siblings, brothers Duane, Robert, and John Hadley, and sisters Patricia Jones and Nancy’s twin, Janet Schennum. She was a Baptist.

She attended Joplin schools. She worked briefly at Macy’s in the portrait studio, but her love and passion was taking care of others. She started in caring for her beloved nephew, Mike Fair, when he was young and very ill. She spent most of her life taking the most excellent care of her children and grandchildren. Most people feel that their mother or grandmother is the best; forgive us when we say our mother/grandmother truly was! She was our best friend, our confidant and problem solver. The only comfort in this loss is that she is finding the peace that was rarely hers in life.

Funeral services are 10am, Monday, April 14, at the Mason Woodard Chapel with Minister Randy Gariss officiating. Burial will follow in Ozark Memorial Cemetery in Joplin. Pallbearers are Jim L Willis, Nick Anderson, Ron Hadley, Mitch Hadley, Jordan Sheat and Cash Cox; honorary pallbearers are Thomas Smith, Jeff Hadley, Amanda Smith, Kylea Anderson, Callista Smith and Marady Anderson. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 1:30-2:30 at Mason Woodard. Memorial contributions can be sent to the River Street Food Pantry 210 North River Street Carthage, MO 64836.