Reverend Sharon Faye Willis-Westly

Sharon F. Westly, 57, died Sunday, September 5, 2010, in a local medical center. Funeral services are 11:00 a.m. Friday at Macedonia Baptist Church, with Bishop Ronald M. Cunningham of Dallas, TX officiating. Burial will follow in the Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories Cemetery, directed by Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory. Visitation is 6 to 8 pm Thursday at the funeral home.

Reverend Sharon Faye Willis-Westly was born in Oakland, Alameda County, California on April 11, 1953 to Superintendant Elder A. D. Willis and Evangelist Martha Faye Willis, who both preceded her in death. She was the firstborn of 6 children.

Her education was received in the public schools of Oakland, CA. She was a graduate of Hillsborough Community College where she received her professional nursing degree in 1976. She practiced as a Registered Nurse globally. Sharon began her nursing career in 1976 beginning in Tampa, Florida; Okinawa Japan; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Gainesville, Florida; Riverside, California; and Abilene, Texas. She was a Registered Nurse for 34 years. In 1991, Sharon was called to the ministry; Rev. Sharon Faye Willis-Westly was ordained Elder of the Christian Episcopal Church in 1996.

She was the Pastor of the Williamson Chapel CME Church in Breckenridge, TX for 8 years. Rev. Westly received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Christian Education in 2004 and her Master of Arts degree in Divinity in 2006.

She was the Director of Christian Education for the Northwest Texas Region of the Christian Methodist Church, Eighth Episcopal District for 14 years.

In 2009 September 6th, Rev. Westly established the House of Restoration Ministries Without Walls, Inc. Her ministry was established as an outreach to the African refugees of Abilene, providing Christian education, health awareness and prevention training, ESL and GED courses, Basic Life Skills and Self Sufficiency training. These services were provided free to anyone who chose to engage and participate.

On Sunday, September 5th, 2010 at Hendrick Medical Center, God quietly whispered and said Sharon, come home. "Servant of God, well done, rest from thy labor's employ, the battle is fought, the victory is won, now enter thy master's joy".

Sharon leaves to cherish her precious and everlasting memories, three sons, Alexius S (Tiffany) Westly of Houston, TX, Sgt. First Class Nathaniel L. Westly, Ft. Hood Army Base, of Killeen TX and Khari (Kimberly) Westly of Shreveport, LA. Three Godchildren, Tiffany "Wanda" Horsley of Abilene, TX, William "Billy" Horsley of Americus, GA and Cherish (Missy) Monique Thompson of Las Vegas, NV. She leaves five siblings, Daniel T. (Marissa) Willis of Wichita Falls, TX, Bishop Anthony L. (Lady Yvonne) Willis of Alameda, CA, Evangelist Lola E. Willis-Holoman of Sacramento, CA, Evangelist Madelynn L. (Pastor Rickey) Willis-Tates of Roseville, CA, and Missionary Adrienne D. (Minister Vincent) Willis-Johnson of Oakland, CA. She leaves seven grandchildren, Natalie, Nathaniel Jr., Niria, Nigel, Alexis, Kira and Charity. She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews and a multitude of devoted and dedicated family members and friends. Her presence will be missed by her voluminous extended church family and a colossal number of friends in Abilene and surrounding counties in the Big Country area.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The House of Restoration Ministries Without Walls, Inc., 1010 Alameda Rd., Abilene, TX 79603.

You may view and sign guestbook at www.elliotthamilfuneralhome.com