Magnolia Willis

Magnolia Crump Willis was born to Roosevelt and Roxie Crump on December 3, 1933 in Cleveland, Mississippi. She was the third child of 4 siblings, attended Acres Elementary School, and was raised on the Dankele Plantation in Cleveland, Mississippi. She confessed Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age. She was married to Claude Lee Willis on May 1954 in Cleveland Mississippi.

In 1956, she relocated to Houston, Texas. To this union, she was blessed with seven children: Christine Jones, Charlester Willis (deceased), Ella Willis, Marcie Butler, Cathy Willis Gray, Lisa Nixon, and Cecil Willis.

She united with Zion Star Baptist Church under the leadership of (Rev. Matthews) as her first church home where she taught children Sunday school and later attended Mt. Olive Baptist Church under the leadership of (Rev. Rusher). She served faithfully at Greater St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of (Rev. Hutchinson) over 40 years in many roles that included: Pastors Aid, Deaconess, Church Secretary, Mother of the Church and faithful active choir member. Her greatest joy was witnessing to the community, visiting the sick and shut-in, and teaching Sunday school at Denmark Nursing Home and Mercy Nursing Home.

The Harriett’s – Who were they you ask? In 1972, Magnolia, along with a few family members and close friends formed a group called the Harriett Gospel Singers which quickly became a well renowned gospel women’s quartet group in Houston, Texas. The Harriett’s were best known for their gospel harmonized singing.

Magnolia started her first job at Booker T. Washington High School, Houston Texas in the Janitorial service department. Later thereafter, she received her certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Certified Medication Assistant working at various Nursing Home.

She was preceded in death by her dad and mother, Roosevelt and Roxie Lee Crump, Son: Charlester Willis, Sister: Earnestine Brown, Brothers: George Crump and J. C. Crump.

She leaves to mourn Christine Jones (Richard Jones II), Ella Willis, Marcie Butler, Cathy Willis Gray, Lisa Nixon (Kenard Nixon), Cecil Willis, seven grandchildren: Aisha, Jamil, Richard III, Adrian, Terrell, Kyle, Kayla, one step grand: Stevie, five great grand: Jade, Camron, Jayden, Jayvion, Ariah and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”