Obituary of LaVerne Willis

LaVerne Willis, age 77, lifetime resident of Idabel passed away at Paris, TX on Thursday, January 8, 2009. She was born February 22, 1931 at Idabel, the daughter of Henry Charles and Vollie Dyer Denison. At an early age, LaVerne’s mother passed away and she was raised by her sister Edith. She attended grade school at Wheelock Academy. LaVerne was a descendant of the Denison family that donated the first 10 acres of land to start the Denison Cemetery. Her family was her life. She was a devoted and loving, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She loved cooking and canning. And every Saturday you were sure to find her at a yard sale. She enjoyed traveling and she loved her dogs. Gospel music was a comforting peace in her life. She loved music. On January 16, 1987 she married Jess Willis at Clarksville, TX. She was preceded in death by her parents; 1st husband, James Howard; sister, Edith Westbrook. LaVerne is survived by her husband, Jess Willis of the home; sons and daughter-in-law, Jimmy and Sandy Howard and Bobby Harold Howard all of Idabel; daughters and sons-in-law, Sherry and Bryan Clay and Mary Lou and Mitch Hunter all of Idabel; step-children, James Willis of Oregon, Jesse Willis and wife, Cindy of Hollycreek Community, Kevin Willis and wife, Yvonne of Broken Bow and Becky Fletcher and husband, Lance of Broken Bow; half-sister, Pat Oliphant of Chanute, KS; 9 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.