Willene was born and reared in Appling County, Georgia. She was born on November 17, 1922; the daughter of Evelyn Miles and Patrick Ross Lewis. She was the eighth child of thirteen children. She was the mother of five children: Belinda Gale Crozier Wells, Patrick Vance (Rick) Crozier (1944-2010), James Ray Crozier (Genny), David Michael Crozier, and Stanley Dewayne Crozier (Cathy). She had 8 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren, 10 great great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Willene was preceded in death by her husband, Vance Crozier; son, Rick; stepson, Kyle Coward; parents, sisters, brothers and a special niece Evelyn Martaniuk. She is survived by a brother, Edsel Lewis of Baxley, and a sister, Joan Conger Decaulty of Miami, FL.
Willene was educated in Appling County Schools. When Red Oak was consolidated, she started in the Primer which was considered first grade. She went to school twelve years, the same as today. She graduated in 1940. Upon graduation she moved to Miami, FL where she attended The LaFrance School of Cosmetology where she graduated and was licensed to practice cosmetology.
Willene met and married Vance Crozier within the first year of living in Miami. They were active members of Highland Park Missionary Baptist Church. After her husband was discharged from the Army in 1946, they opened a restaurant. After three and a half years in the restaurant business, and three children, they moved to Appling County and lived on a small farm near her parents. When she moved back to Georgia she stayed home and enjoyed being a wife and mother working in the schools, community and church for many years.
In 1969 she and Vance moved to Baxley where she opened her own beauty shop, Town and Country. Her husband died in 1986; they were married for 46½ years. She moved to Brunswick in 2005. She was a member of Marshes of Glynn Baptist Church.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 Tuesday, December 14, 2021 in the Chapel of Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home with Rev. Harold Turner and Rev. Darrell Joiner officiating. A private graveside service for family members only will be at 2:30 PM in Baxley at Miles Chapel Cemetery following the service.
In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to Marshes of Glynn Baptist Church, 3780 US Highway 82, Brunswick, GA 31523
Edo Miller and Sons is in charge of the arrangements. You may sign the register book and leave condolences for the family at www.edomillerandsons.com
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18