1929
Lola
2023
Lola Willis
June 21, 1929 — April 7, 2023
On April 7, 2023, Lola Willis passed peacefully from this world and into the welcoming arms of her Lord. She was surrounded by her children.
She was born on June 21, 1929, to the late Jennings B. and Doris (O'Dell) Neff. On September 1, 1956, she married Carl D. Willis, who preceded her in death on April 28, 2000.
Surviving is her sister, Kaye (Wayne) Kline, of Frankfort; daughter, Pamela Kraft of Chillicothe; son, Bryan (Valerie) Willis, of Portsmouth; and daughter Linda Annie (Jerry) Lee, of Frankfort; grandchildren, Michael Kraft, Cortney Willis, Drew White, and Joey White; great-grandchildren, Kyleigh Kraft, Brenson Kraft, Billy Kraft, and Camden Kraft; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brothers, Vernon Neff, Jennings Neff, Jr., Darrell Neff, and sisters, Norma Jean "Molly" Neff Myers, Marcella Neff Hardesty, and Edith Jane Neff Orr, and nieces and nephews.
Before her marriage, Lola was the office manager and bookkeeper at a local finance company, a position she secured after taking business classes. She worked for Mr. Drury, Mr. Spetnagle, and Mr. Coppell for many years. During her life, Lola found comfort in the ministry of Billy Graham, liked the poetry of Helen Steiner Rice, and found beauty in the works of Thomas Kinkaid. She enjoyed bowling, camping, bird watching, and all kinds of arts and crafts, where she developed a talent for painting later in life. She enjoyed gospel and country music, especially the Statler Brothers, Larry Gatlin, Alabama, and Lee Greenwood, all of whom she saw in person at their concerts. Lola was known for finding a way to go back stage and meet the band members in person. In the later years of their marriage, Lola and Carl celebrated their anniversary by traveling to Pigeon Forge, TN to attend Lee Greenwood's concerts. Since they went at the same time every year, Lee Greenwood recognized them and honored them with a special song. Lola and Carl enjoyed traveling together, especially to Gatlinburg and Kingsport, TN.
Visitation will be held at the Haller Funeral Home on Friday, April 14, 2023 from 5:00pm-7:00pm. A brief graveside service will be held in Grandview Cemetery at 1:00pm on Saturday, April 15, 2023.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the cancer society in her honor.
Rest peacefully in the arms of our Lord, Mom, Nanna, sister, aunt, great-grandma, friend. We love you and we miss you.
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of
Lola Dolores Willis , please click here to visit our Sympathy Store .
She was born on June 21, 1929, to the late Jennings B. and Doris (O'Dell) Neff. On September 1, 1956, she married Carl D. Willis, who preceded her in death on April 28, 2000.
Surviving is her sister, Kaye (Wayne) Kline, of Frankfort; daughter, Pamela Kraft of Chillicothe; son, Bryan (Valerie) Willis, of Portsmouth; and daughter Linda Annie (Jerry) Lee, of Frankfort; grandchildren, Michael Kraft, Cortney Willis, Drew White, and Joey White; great-grandchildren, Kyleigh Kraft, Brenson Kraft, Billy Kraft, and Camden Kraft; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brothers, Vernon Neff, Jennings Neff, Jr., Darrell Neff, and sisters, Norma Jean "Molly" Neff Myers, Marcella Neff Hardesty, and Edith Jane Neff Orr, and nieces and nephews.
Before her marriage, Lola was the office manager and bookkeeper at a local finance company, a position she secured after taking business classes. She worked for Mr. Drury, Mr. Spetnagle, and Mr. Coppell for many years. During her life, Lola found comfort in the ministry of Billy Graham, liked the poetry of Helen Steiner Rice, and found beauty in the works of Thomas Kinkaid. She enjoyed bowling, camping, bird watching, and all kinds of arts and crafts, where she developed a talent for painting later in life. She enjoyed gospel and country music, especially the Statler Brothers, Larry Gatlin, Alabama, and Lee Greenwood, all of whom she saw in person at their concerts. Lola was known for finding a way to go back stage and meet the band members in person. In the later years of their marriage, Lola and Carl celebrated their anniversary by traveling to Pigeon Forge, TN to attend Lee Greenwood's concerts. Since they went at the same time every year, Lee Greenwood recognized them and honored them with a special song. Lola and Carl enjoyed traveling together, especially to Gatlinburg and Kingsport, TN.
Visitation will be held at the Haller Funeral Home on Friday, April 14, 2023 from 5:00pm-7:00pm. A brief graveside service will be held in Grandview Cemetery at 1:00pm on Saturday, April 15, 2023.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the cancer society in her honor.
Rest peacefully in the arms of our Lord, Mom, Nanna, sister, aunt, great-grandma, friend. We love you and we miss you.
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of
Lola Dolores Willis , please click here to visit our Sympathy Store .
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lola Willis, please visit our flower store.
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