Barbara Jean Willis

Barbara Jean Willis was born to Henry P. Willis and Theresa Willis (nee Burks) on June 25, 1939, and passed to Heaven August 6, 2015. Barbara grew up in Columbus where she graduated from East High School from which her mother and all her brothers and sisters graduated. She attended The Ohio State University for a time and then began work at Ohio Bell, later going to work for ATT. Her work with ATT took her to Illinois, Virginia and finally, Flemington New Jersey. She began her work with Ohio Bell as an operator, went on to become a supervisor, a trainer, and after retirement, a consultant. At age 11, Barbara stated her faith and was baptized at Shiloh Baptist Church where, years earlier, her grandfather, Rev. James H. Burks had pastured the congregation through building the church at its present location. During her 30's, she changed her membership to Mt. Olivet, the home church of her paternal grandfather, Deacon Robert D. Willis. After leaving Columbus, her longest church membership was at First Baptist Church of Princeton, New Jersey, where she taught adult Sunday School, sang in the choir, and became a Trustee. Her church service was not limited to these formal involvements; nor, did the walls of the church confine her service efforts. A great cook, she loved sharing her specialty apple pies, lemon pound cake, brownies or chocolate chunk cookies with church members and friends. Nor did the walls of the church confine her service efforts. Within the community, she volunteered at The Good News Home for Women; at times, even opening her home for them when their time at the Home had expired. As children, she and her younger siblings often spent time in the library or at the Columbus Museum of Art. Barbara expressed that these early experiences inspired her life-long appreciation for both books and art. She was an avid collector of books, paintings and porcelain figurines. In addition, she became a docent at the Princeton University Art Museum. While there, she particularly enjoyed guiding the school children; hopefully encouraging them to adopt her abiding belief that we all are artists and the definition of art is within the heart, eye and soul of the beholder. Barbara was married to Robert Wallace, but later divorced. Though this union produced no children, Barbara became a friend/ stand-in mom to Debbie O'Brien, daughter of Barbara O'Brien following her untimely death. When Debbie married Carl Davidson, and they began their family, Barbara became the proud and loving Grandma to Joshua and Loren. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, both sets of grandparents, and all her aunts and uncles. She leaves to mourn her passing and cherish her memory beloved family members: sisters, Vivian Ross, Janet Willis, Tiny Willis, all from Columbus, and Patricia (Lee) Townsel of Dayton; brothers, James (Frederica) Willis, Henry (Gloria) Willis, Sherman (Yolanda) Willis, all of Columbus, and Stephen Willis of Atlanta, Georgia; a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends. She also leaves behind her beloved dog, Boo2, who came into her life just at the time they needed each other the most. Barbara always said, There are no coincidences with God. Everything happens for a reason. Though none foresaw what she and Boo2 would become for each other, her belief certainly proved to be accurate. The family expresses deepest gratitude for all expressions of sympathy and support; and requests, in lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Shiloh Baptist Church Building Fund to assist in the renovation of this historic edifice.