Obituary of Bettye Jean Willis

Bettye Jean Fisher Willis, lovingly referred to as "Mom", "Mother", Mom-Mom, Aunt Jean and Bettye, departed this life on January 21, 2016 at 88 years of age, in the comforting presence of her family. Born on February 1, 1927 in Sharon Hill, PA, Bettye had one sister, Dorothy and one brother, Daniel, whom she loved dearly. Bettye attended school and received the American Legion Award in the seventh or eighth grade. She graduated from Darby High School in 1945. Bettye went to church in Sharon Hill, accepted Jesus as her personal savior, was baptized and sang in the choir. Bettye related that she had prayer with her mother mornings before school. Bettye went to Morgan State College in Baltimore, MD, where she met Robert C. Willis. Reverend Yerby married Bettye and Bob on November 16, 1947. Bettye resided in the home of Reverend and Mrs. Yerby before she began her campus life. Bettye and Bob remained married more than sixty-five years. In the following years, Bettye had five children: Robert, Marguerite, Michelle, Monique and Rodney. Bettye joined Greater St. Matthews A.M.E. Church in 1950. Monique was christened there in 1958 and Rodney in 1960. Robert, Marguerite and Michelle were christened in Riverton, New Jersey. For many years, Bettye lived in Philadelphia with her husband and children. After Rodney began attending school, Bettye became employed in retail sales in Philadelphia. In 1976, Bettye moved with her husband to Bettendorf, Iowa, and then to Budd Lake, New Jersey in 1978 and to Washington, D.C. area in 1981 for his employment. Bettye joined the Metropolitan A.M.E. Church in Washington, D.C. in 1988. They returned to Riverton, New Jersey on or about 2002, where they lived until December 2011, when they moved to Philadelphia to live with Marguerite. After Bob's death on June 1, 2013, Bettye moved to Alexandria, Virginia to live with her son Rodney and his wife Diane. When Bettye became to ill for home care, she moved to Sierra Oaks of Bensalem, an assisted living facility in Bensalem, PA, from February 2014 until July 2015, when she returned to Marguerite's home. Together, her children cared for Bettye until the end of her life. Bettye was a loving and devoted mother and wife. She raised five children to have strong Christian values and to understand the importance of education. Bettye was responsible for her children's love of music and sports due to their participation with musical instruments, church and all-city choirs, Boy Scouts and sport activities. Bettye attended church her entire life and stressed Bible study and Sunday School for her children. She also believed in strong family values. Bettye could be counted on to remember birthdays and always included a donation or a gift with each birthday card. She made Christmas an unforgettable experience for her children every year. Bettye did not limit her generosity of spirit only to family. Bettye volunteered and belonged to a number of clubs. Bettye belonged to the Mother's Club of Mercy Douglas Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. She volunteered for the "Daisy Day" Heart Foundation in Philadelphia and the Afro-American Festival in Bettendorf, Iowa, 1977-1978. She was a member of the Alexandria Mental Health Program in Alexandria, VA and the Emma's Senior Citizen Association in Washington, D.C. Bettye also volunteered with the Red Cross in Alexandria, VA. Bettye loved to travel, both in this country and internationally, in Mexico, Europe and Russia. However, Bettye experienced great joy from spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved the "little ones." Bettye was an exceptionally loving mother, instructor, a generous giver of her money and her time and a wonderful example to her children and to all those who knew her. She will be sorely missed. She is survived by: Son: Robert Holmes Willis and his fiancé, Natalie; grandchildren, Asha and husband Cesar, Robert Elliot and wife Freemonia, Lisa and Crystal; great grandchildren, Jaedon, Jordan, Tory, Anthony, Tiara, TaNiyah and Christopher, and former spouse, Jacqueline Sprague; Daughter: Marguerite Willis Stanford; grandchildren, Raomel and wife, Tawanna, Yamaya and finance, Ronald; great grandchildren, Raomel Jr. Asa, Joseph, Troi and Sonia; great-great granddaughter, Reagan; Daughter: Michelle Willis Stone and husband, Allen; grandchildren, Karl and wife Jessica, Eric and wife, Toshiba, Alayna and husband, Alva Jr.; great grandchildren, Jalen, Jordyn, Lahmel, Jaynei, Erin, Alora and Alyosha; Daughter: Monique Willis Banks and husband, William II; grandchildren, Jamal, William III and wife, Jacqueline and Andre; great grandchildren, Josiah, Jazzlyn-Monique, Zora and Ava; Son: Rodney Fisher Willis and wife, Diane; grandchildren, Ryan, Nikelle and finance, Nate; great grandchild, Logan; Sister: Dorothy Mims; nieces and nephew, Trudy and husband, Kenneth, Squire III and Melissa; and their children and grandchildren; Late husband's family: The family of John "Jack" Willis: Anne and Irma; nieces and nephew, Eleanor, Roberta, Louise, Jackie and Michael; and their spouse, children and grandchildren; And a host of close friends. Let us say farewell to Bettye...a great person! She was a good daughter, wife, mother and friend to all of us. Bettye will be dearly missed, but every one of us knows that she will forever be present in our hearts and in our memories. Let us not be sad, for Bettye lived her life to the fullest. Let us celebrate, for she was able to make a difference in many people's lives. We can be sure that Bettye is happy now with our Heavenly Father and that she will be guiding us for the rest of our lives. Bettye will always be remembered and will forever remain in our hearts.