Nellie Mae Willis

Nellie Mae Willis, age 74, of Grapevine, formerly of Mena, passed away Wednesday, May 22, 2013. She was born on February 15, 1939, at Sikes, Louisiana, the daughter of Arthur F. Donaldson and Willie Mae Sutton Donaldson. On October 11, 1956, she was married to Norman Willis who preceded her in death on July 23, 1992. She was also preceded in death by her parents; her grandson, little Jess Curry; and two brothers, Arthur Donaldson, Jr. and Frank Donaldson. She was a member of the New Life Church of God in Bauxite. She enjoyed gardening, crocheting, quilting, bird watching and spending time outdoors. Nellie was a wonderful and loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend, who will be deeply missed by all that knew and loved her. She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Cecil and Laura Willis of Mena and Roy and Pam Willis of Grapevine; one daughter and son-in-law, Nelda and Lynn Curry of Mena; six grandchildren, Sean Curry, Jami Hedgepeth and her husband, Troy, Matt Willis and his wife, Jessica, Carmen Willis, Joe Murphy and J. R. Willis; two great-grandchildren, D. J. Murphy and Wayne Hedgepeth; one brother and sister-in-law, George and Jewell Donaldson of Kirby; one sister, Mary McAllister of Wickes; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of friends. Services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, May 25, 2013, in the Athens Cemetery Chapel with Bro. Roy Willis and Bro. Cecil Willis officiating. Visitation will be held Saturday, 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM, prior to the services at the cemetery. Interment will be in the Athens Cemetery under the direction of Davis-Smith Funeral Home, Glenwood. Pallbearers will be J. R. Willis, Matt Willis, Jesse Gosshee, Troy Hedgepeth and Joe Murphy. Honorary pallbearers will be Lynn Curry and Sean Curry. Guest registry is at www.davis-smith.com.