Phylis Lorene Whitley Willis

Phylis Lorene Whitley Willis, 59, of Bradford, departed this life Thursday, October 15, 2015 with family by her side. She was born September 18, 1956 in Ann Arbor, Michigan to the late Walter Higgen and Bessie Ellen (Jones) Whitley. Phylis was a wonderful, caring, generous, loving mother, sister, aunt and friend to many people. She had a heart of gold, and loved helping people. Children were the highlight of her life whether they were hers or someone close to her, and she tried to help raise them the best way she could. The day Amanda was born was the one of the happiest days of her life and she treated her baby girl like she was an angel from above, and worshiped the ground she walked on until the day she died. Phylis was just a plain old country girl and enjoyed cooking, canning, gardening, feeding and taking care of animals, especially her and J.C.'s chickens. Her greatest enjoyment came from working at Bradford Feed Store helping J.C. She will be irreplaceable. Every morning she was up and ready to get to the store so she'd be there if anyone needed anything. She wanted to beat Mr. Billy and drink that cup of coffee with him. She enjoyed visiting with each and every person that came in. She always greeted everyone with a smile. She will be missed beyond measure by her family and her friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Charles Wayne Willis; two sisters, Joyce Ann Limbert, and Bell Sterling; four brothers, Walter "Bub" Whitley, George "PoJo" Whitley, John "Red" Whitley, and Michael Whitley; a close nephew, Walter "Lee" Whitley; and both of her parents. She is survived by three children, Amanda Willis of Bradford, Charles Ricky Willis Sr. and wife Frances of Rosebud, and Annetta Jean "Susie" Willis; a special friend and companion, Danny Turner; three sisters, Sharon Willis and Allen Fanguy of Dulac, Louisiana, Edith Thrift and husband Lloyd of Carlisle, and Runnell Thrift of Cabot; one aunt, Peggy; two grandchildren, Nicole Willis and Ricky Willis; three nephews she helped raise as much as she could, Troy Lee Willis Jr., Roy Willis Jr., and Anthony Kieth Willis Sanders; one niece she helped raise, Cynthia Medlock and husband J.C. that she lived with for over the past four years helping take care of her family which includes Micheal John Morris, Makiyla Morris, John Medlock, and Justin Medlock; lots of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many many friends. Visitation will be held Sunday, October18, 2015 at Bradford Memorial Funeral Home from 6-8p.m. Service will be held Monday, October 19, 2015 at 2:00p.m. at Trinity Baptist Church with Bro. Don Robinson officiating. Interment will follow at Coffeyville Cemetery in Possum Grape, Arkansas Arrangements entrusted to Bradford Memorial Funeral Home of Bradford, Arkansas.

Phylis Lorene Whitley Willis

September 18, 1956 - October 15, 2015