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Mother Hortense Willis


Sunrise: July 27, 1928

Sunset: September 9, 2018

Hortense Willis of Norfolk, VA passed away on September 9, 2018. She was born on July 27, 1928 to the Late Hezekiah Jones Sr. and Laura Crowe Jones in Norfolk, VA. Mother Willis graduated from Booker T. Washington High School and attended classes at the Norfolk Division of Virginia State College (now Norfolk State University). She was the wife of Bishop Levi E. Willis Sr. Mother Willis served as the Co-Pastor of the Garden of Prayer Worship Center and Founding First Lady of the Virginia Third Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction COGIC.

She is survived by four children, Hortense E. Willis, District Missionary Christine L. Willis, Bishop Levi E. Willis II (Judith) and Celestine L. Willis-Brown (Clyde); 6 grandchildren, extended family member Marion Woods, 12 great-grandchildren, 7 great-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, saints and friends.

Viewing Friday, September 21, 2018 5:00pm - 7:00pm Garden of Prayer Worship Center Norfolk, VA Service Friday, September 21, 2018 7:00pm Garden of Prayer Worship Center 1001 Church Street Norfolk, VA 23510 Viewing Saturday, September 22, 2018 9am-10:30am Garden of Prayer Worship Center Norfolk, VA Service Saturday, September 22, 2018 11:00am Garden of Prayer Worship Center 1001 Church Street Norfolk, VA 23510 Entombment Woodlawn Memorial Gardens 6309 E. Virginia Beach Boulevard Norfolk, VA 23504

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Condolences(17)

  1. reply
    Ms Kimberly says

    RIP Lady Willis!!?

  2. reply
    Elder Charles and Minister Sandra Norfleet says

    Our sincerest condolences and prayers!

  3. reply
    Deli says

    I’m so sorry for the loss of your loved one. Please find comfort in Gods promise, Rev 21:4.

  4. reply
    Susan Webber says

    May your family find strength, peace, and comfort remembering and exemplifying her strength, belief, courage, and teachings. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. My deepest condolences.

  5. reply
    Myrna Henderson says

    Our prayers and loving thoughts are with you always. Love Bernie & Myrna Henderson Jr

  6. reply
    Dr. Ruth I. G. Moore says

    We, the Moore family, were saddened to hear of Mother Willis’ passing. May you, the Willis family, find comfort in knowing that she “Mother Hortense Willis” weathered the storms of life and now is resting in the arms of her maker. Our prayers and condolences are with the family and the GOP church family.
    Blessings, Dr. Ruth I. G. Moore

  7. reply
    Michelle Davis-Green says

    What a Mother…Rest in HIS arms!

  8. reply
    Marva Davis says

    Marva Davis and the Branch family send our condolences to the Willis family I pray that God will give you peace.

  9. reply
    Gary Bernard Scales, Roanoke, VA says

    To the Willis and Jones family, you are in my prayers as you mourn but yet celebrate the life of Mother Willis. She will be missed by all.

  10. reply
    Deborah "Taylor" Mapp says

    To the Willis Family: Mother Willis was truly a woman who loved God and others. She did lots of Kingdom work on this earth and now she rests in the Arms of Jesus. May you find comfort in God’s love and know that she remains in your heart. Blessings and love.

  11. reply
    Elder Thalia Hinds says

    My prayers are for you and with you ! Mother Willis was a great inspiration to the body of Christ! She will be missed and will forever be in my heart! She served well and have transition from labor to reward! Well done thy good and faithful servant!

  12. reply
    Stephon Tyler , at 17350 Pheasant Downs Rd , Lathrop Ca, 95330 says

    To my family , i really dont have a lot of words to say except that my heart hurts right now because i just found out that Moma has went home to be with the Lord indeed i’m happy because i know she lived the life that she preached and teached about.i’m just remembering when i was just a teenager how she use to have me help her and Bishop around the funeral home ( Twilight Funeral Home ) there in Norfolk and when we were not there she had me in Church along with her even when she had to go out to speak she would say come go with me ; we are only going to be here for a little while and that little while turned into a long while which was ok because i loved being with her. my heart goes out to Bishop LE Willis Jr. and my Sister Christine and Tina and the ST.Andrew;s COGIC family.Rest on Mother we will see you in the morning with Love and Prayer; Stephon Tyler

  13. reply
    Vanessa Joyner Richardson says

    My prayers and thoughts are with you and the family of this honorable and sweet woman of God. Her life of holiness is a legacy and model for women of God everywhere. May the Lord bless you through this time of grief, and may this dear Mother in Zion rest on until we are all reunited in glory.
    Love and prayers,

  14. reply
    Lamont Simmons says

    “My deepest sympathy goes out to the family, friends, colleagues and neighbors on the passing of the beloved Mother Willis. She was a sweet lady and is sorely missed.”

  15. reply
    Samuel Cherry says

    May you continue to find comfort and strength in God at this time. My prayers and thoughts go out to you and your family. Elder Samuel W. Cherry & Evang. Betty Cherry.

  16. reply
    AL and Lue Jones..Rev Intl.. says

    We Love you to Life..we are here,Family is everything, Let’s just love !!

  17. reply
    Shawanda Alston says

    God said in Everything Give thanks. So I Thank God for the 91years mother Willis lived on this earth and for that beautiful smile that always lifted my spirit when I saw her. She was a great example of perseverance. I love her for that and she will be truly missed.
    Family, I’m praying for The Lord to bless you with peace & comfort & unity during this time of bereavement.

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