Onte N Willis

Onte Powell Willis, long time resident of Clinton, MS died June 28, 2022, at the Bethany Hospice House in Auburn, AL.  She was lovingly known to all family and many friends as “Miss Tee.”

She was born March 3, 1930, to Carl and Elouise Neel of Greene County, MS. She graduated from Leakesville High School and received an Associate Degree in Business from Jones County Junior College in Ellisville, MS. While attending JCJC she met and married Harold Edgar Powell of Jones County. They were married for 21 years until Harold’s death in 1971.

In 1978 “Tee” married Edward R. Willis of Clinton, MS. They were married for 29 years, until Ed’s death in 2007.

During her life she worked as a secretary and especially loved her work as church secretary at Briarwood Drive Baptist Church in Jackson, MS. She volunteered for several years at an inter-city mission at Birch Hill Baptist Church. She was co-owner and vice-president of Mississippi Rehabilitation Products in Jackson, one of the first home health care products stores in the state of Mississippi.

Above all, Tee loved the Lord. She was a faithful member of Briarwood Drive Baptist Church in Jackson and First Baptist Church of Clinton. She served alongside Ed Willis as a Bible Drill instructor for a number of years, passing on her love of scripture to many children and youth. At FBC Clinton she created the first Sunday School class for those who had been previously married. She mentored many children and adults on how to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Most of all, as a true Southern Lady, Tee taught by her pure example of a life well lived.

She was affectionately known as “Meme” to her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She lovingly combined two families, the Powells and Willises, into one.

Known as a fierce competitor, Tee loved ping pong, dominoes, and card games, especially Hearts and SkipBo, often winning with “questionable tactics.” She was a wonderful cook and gardener, and she loved her flowers and birds. Her home was a revolving door, welcoming anyone with unconditional hospitality, no matter their station in life.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her two loving husbands.

She is survived by her two brothers, Darrell Neel of Tuscaloosa, AL, and Roland Neel of Leakesville, MS, and her children, Debbie Powell Hurt (Steve) of Tupelo, MS; Stella Powell Crosby (Dr. Dell) of Auburn, AL; Richard Powell (Mona) of Sebastian, FL; Linda Powell Atkinson (Lonnie) of Dripping Springs, TX; Dr. Ted Willis (Nanette) of Bay St. Louis, MS; Rev. Bob Willis (Jodi) of Valdosta, GA; Jane Willis Miller (Ray) of Madison, MS; Matt Willis (Kathy) of Bay St. Louis, MS; and Aaron Willis (Dr. Sheryl Lynn) of McKinney, TX; 20 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and multiple loving nieces and nephews who called her “Aunt Onte.”

Tee spent her last several years in Auburn, AL, with her daughter, where she continued to minister to those around her at the Monarch Estates. Special thanks to our wonderful caregivers: Mary Frazier, Olivia Buchanon, Cassandra Threat, and Veronica Thomas, who served her with great respect, dignity and honor. Sincere thanks also to the wonderful staff at Bethany House in Auburn and to her physicians, Dr. Samuel Peeples of Jackson, MS, and Dr. John Abrams of Auburn, AL, who tended to her medical needs.

She opens her arms to the poor and

extends her hands to the needy.

She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

“Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all.”

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Proverbs 31:20;25-30

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Jeffcoat Trant Funeral Home in Opelika, AL, and by Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home in Clinton, MS.

Visitation will be at Wright and Ferguson in Clinton from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, July 5, 2022.  The funeral service will be at the Wright and Ferguson Chapel at 10:00 am, Wednesday, July 6.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that Memorial gifts be made to First Baptist Church of Clinton Missions Fund (100 College St, Clinton, MS, 39056) or Mercy Medical Clinic (1702 Catherine Ct. #1A, Auburn, AL, 36830).