Patricia Willis

Patricia Faye Oakley Willis, of St. Pauls, departed this life on June 5 , 2018. She was 85 years old. Patricia was born Oct. 8, 1932 to the late George Washington Oakley and the late Beatrice Hyman Oakley. She was born and lived in Fayetteville. After graduating from Massey Hill High School, she worked downtown at Sears Department Store. In 1954, Patricia married Jerry Brown Willis. They were married for almost 60 years, until Jerry’s death in 2013. They had one child, Virginia Faye Willis. Patricia was a member of St. Pauls Presbyterian Church, where she served on various committees and taught Sunday School in the past. She was awarded the Honorary Life Membership from the Presbyterian women. Patricia was a homemaker. She and her sister Leila owned and operated “The Children’s Shop” in downtown St. Pauls. After selling “The Shop,” she was employed at Burlington Industries in St. Pauls. She loved her job and co-workers dearly. Patricia was a master crafter. She sewed beautifully and created homemade dolls. In addition to her crafting, Patricia enjoyed cooking, especially for her family. She cherished her family and always enjoyed special gatherings. In addition to her husband and parents, Patricia was preceded in death by her sister, Edra Cain, and her brother, Leroy Oakley. She leaves to cherish her memory a daughter, Virginia Faye Madden and son-in-law, Kenneth Earl Madden; a grandson, Willis Alexander Madden and granddaughter-in-law, Abbigail Elizabeth Overfelt and great-granddaughter Zoey Reese Madden; granddaughter, Leanne Amelia Harpster and grandson-in-law, Ryan Scott Harpster; sisters Myrtle Carter, Ethelyn Page, and Leila Lancaster; and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of her life will be 3 p.m. Sunday June 10, 2018 at the St. Pauls Presbyterian Church, the Rev. P. J. Southam officiating. The visitation will be held prior to the service in the church fellowship hall, beginning at 2 p.m. Memorials may be made to The St. Pauls Presbyterian Church, 228 N. Old Stage Road, St. Pauls, NC; or The Alzheimer’s Association, at 5171 Glenwood Ave. Suite 101, Raleigh, NC 27612 or online at ALZ.org.  Arrangements by McNeill Mackie Funeral Home of St. Pauls.