Betty Ruth Willis

Betty Ruth Willis, of Raleigh, passed away quietly with her family surrounding her on Thursday, April 3, 2014. There will be a visitation in the parlor at Edenton Street Methodist Church on Monday, April 7, at 2:00 p.m. A memorial service will follow in the sanctuary at 3:00 p.m.

She was predeceased by her parents, William and Edna Windes, her brother and sister-in-law, William and Ginny Windes, and her husband of 67 years, Tom.

Children Betty Reed W. McDaniel (Ed), Susan W Cates, William T. Willis (Charles Wilkerson); grandchildren Sheri O. Timmons (Sean), Susan O. Callahan (Troy), Jennifer L. Outlaw (Chris Straight); great-grandchildren Elizabeth K Ross, Addison B. Callahan, Emily R. Callahan, S. Abbott Timmons, Jr., Olive R. Outlaw-Straight; Ivy G. Outlaw-Straight; sister-in-law Carolyn Cunningham, and brother-in-law David Willis, Jr. (Elinor) and many nieces and nephews.

Betty Ruth was born on June 21, 1924. She graduated from Needham B. Broughton High School in 1942. During her senior year, she and her future husband, Thomas G. “Tetch” Willis, were elected Mr. and Miss Needham B. Broughton. In 1944 she graduated from Saint Mary’s College in Raleigh, which was then a junior college. Shortly thereafter, she and Tetch were married, and later, they designed and built their home in Raleigh with their own hands.

During her lifetime, she taught dancing, earned a pilot’s license, was certified as a scuba diver, and had her own television show, “Saturday Shindig.” She taught water aerobics at the YMCA in Raleigh for over 30 years. ..until she was 80 years old. She was a member of the Hugh Isley Sunday School Class at Edenton St. Church. Betty Ruth and Tetch enjoyed world travel, summers at their house on Kerr Lake, and monthly gatherings with their Couples Club friends for over 60 years,

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that friends make a contribution in memory of Betty Ruth to the Alexander Family YMCA (1603 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC, 27607) or the charity of their choice.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Saint Mary’s St. Raleigh, NC.