Elsie Dodds Willis

Elsie Dodds Willis, age 102, went to be with the Lord on April 30, 2015. Her family will receive guests at the Carroway Funeral Home from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2015. A private family graveside service is planned, followed by a memorial service for her Pinecrest family of friends and employees, at the Pinecrest Chapel on Sunday, May 3, 2015 at 2:30 p.m. Pastor Mark Wilke will be officiating.

Elsie Dodds Willis was born in Friendship, Tennessee on July 22, 1912 to Oscar Lafayette Dodds and Inez Peal Dodds, and died April 30, 2015 at Pinecrest Retirement Center in Lufkin. She graduated from Dresden High School in Dresden, Tennessee and Lambuth College in Jackson, Tennessee. She and Stephen Bennett Willis were married in 1939 and raised two sons, Bennett and Thomas, on the family farm in Rutherford, Tennessee. She taught high school math in Rutherford and Kenton, Tennessee for 30 years. She was loved by her fellow teachers and students, cherishing the many cards and letters they sent her over the years. She and Steve moved to Lufkin in 1987. After his death, Elsie moved to Pinecrest as one of its charter residents. It was her delight to then welcome new residents with a loaf of her homemade bread. She quickly became involved in the many activities offered, and became a very competitive board game and pool player. She always had a smile for everyone and was appreciative of her fellow residents and employees. Elsie believed in helping others, whether it was by teaching school, volunteering at Woodland Heights Hospital, or teaching Bible study both at her home church of Carpenter’s Way and Pinecrest.

Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Bennett Willis (Judy) of Lake Jackson and Thomas L. Willis (Donna) of Lufkin; sister, Kitty Lockman of Holly Lakes; grandchildren and spouses, Emily MaGee (Greg) of Upland, Indiana; Anita Hartsock (Scott) of Silver Spring, Maryland; David Willis (Amy) of Lukin; Cindy Willis of Tyler; great-grandchildren, John, Bethany, and Mark MaGee of Upland, Indiana; and A.J. and Kathy Beth Willis of Lukin; numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Stephen Bennett Willis; brother, Oscar Dodds of San Luis Obispo, California; and daughter-in-law, Ann Cain Willis of Lake Jackson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Carpenter’s Way Building Fund, 400 North John Redditt Drive, Lufkin, Texas 75904, or to a charity of your choice.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.