Mrs. Susan Mae Jackson Willis
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Susan's obituary
Susan Mae Jackson Willis, wife of the late TSgt Retired Stephen Willis, departed her earthly life on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at her home after an extended illness. Born March 20, 1939, in Sumter County, Susie, as she affectionately liked to be called, was the daughter of the late Louis Gamble and the late Thelma Quashie. She was raised by her maternal grandmother, the late Hattie Drayton Jackson.
She attended Sumter County schools and graduated from Ebenezer High School. After graduation, Susie moved to New York for a brief period, but returned to Sumter, SC where she met and married the love of her life, after which they traveled extensively around the world for the next 18 years. Throughout her travels she was an active member of the PWOC (Protestant Women of the Chapel), and sang on various chapel and gospel choirs. She also volunteered as a lunch monitor at Berlin American High School in Berlin, Germany.
Upon retirement from the military, the family returned to Sumter, SC, where Susie was employed by Becton-Dickinson for 20 years. She also worked diligently in her home church, St. Mark Four Bridges Missionary Baptist Church, serving in many capacities. She was a member of The Mighty Clouds of Joy Gospel Choir, Senior Choir, and Sanctuary Choir, and served as an Adult Sunday School teacher, Financial Secretary, President of the Pastor’s Aide and Missionary ministries, and was the only female on the Trustee Board.
In addition, she was a prominent and active participant in the Wateree Baptist Association Lower Division, receiving many accolades, and served in the role of Dean of Sunday School for 20 years. As well, she was presented with an award for reorganization of her many years of ongoing committed and dedicated service to the Wateree Baptist Women’s Auxiliary, Lower Division in Sumter, SC.
Susie leaves to cherish her memories her daughter, Dr. Belinda Willis of Columbia, SC; a granddaughter, Ashland Jenkins of Greenville, SC; a special daughter, La’Tasha (Walter) Robertson of Sumter; brothers-in-law Dr. Emanuel (Janice) Willis of Sumter, and Billy Sanders of Detroit, MI; sisters-in-law Olivia Willis of Green Cove Springs, FL, and Murline Ingram and Verlena Jackson of Sumter, SC; four godchildren, Walter Jenkins, Jr., Brittany Jenkins, Shi-Lynn Mack, and Nicole Pressley; extended grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
In addition to her husband, parents, and grandmother, she was preceded in death by her mother-in-law, Mary Lee Willis; daughter, Stephanie Willis; stepfather, Samuel Quashie; sister, Thomasina Tomlin; brothers Moses and Sidney Jackson; brothers-in-law Allen Butler, Edward Tomlin, and Captain (US Navy) Moise Willis; and sister-in-law Geraldine Butler.
Susie was a phenomenal warrior who never tired of fighting on the Christian battlefield winning souls for the Lord, imparting biblical knowledge on those who were fortunate enough to know her, and whose character compels them to arise and call her blessed.
The family of Susan Mae Jackson Willis asks that in lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Disabled American Veterans at www.dav.org in memory of Stephen Willis.
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