Barbara Thomas Wills

Barbara Thomas Wills, 89, died May 5, 2020 in Jackson MS after a brief battle with COVID-19 and an extended challenge with Alzheimer’s. Due to precautions with the virus, there will be no visitation and her funeral will be restricted to immediate family only on May 8th at Lakewood Funeral Home with interment at Lakewood Memorial Park, Jackson, MS. The family regrets these restrictions on all those who were touched by the relationships they had with Barbara over many years. Please remember her during this time and stay safe.

Mrs. Wills was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs William Renn (Lois) Thomas, her sister Mary Lois, her husband of 51 years Robert Judson Wills, and her son David Thomas Wills. She is survived by her son, Robert Judson (Barbara) Wills Jr.: Arley, AL: daughter in law Kathy (Mike) McCollough, Clinton: grandsons Andrew Judson Wills and Stephen Michael Wills; and 9 nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Wills was born in Miami, Florida. She was a 1949 graduate of Miami High School and graduated from Florida State University in 1953. While at FSU, she was in Alpha Chi Omega sorority, Phi Beta Kappa honor society, and was a member of the University Senate. Following college, marriage, and moving to Clinton in 1954, Mrs. Wills was a teacher in the Clinton/Jackson area, teaching history and Bible at Enochs Jr. High, Clinton Jr. High, Mt. Salus Christian School and Mississippi Baptist High School. She loved her students and enjoyed close relationships with many of them that continued until her passing.

Barbara was a faithful and dedicated member of First Baptist Church of Clinton for over 65 years, serving as a Sunday School teacher, Adult Choir member, and member of three Pastor Search Committees. While she was an active participant in church activities, her relationship with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was deep and personal. She was a prayer warrior. That came natural to her since she loved and cared about people and she had an intimate relationship with God. She was up long before dawn every morning, reviewing her prayer journals and raising people’s needs up before God.

Barbara valued her family, was a great wife and mother to her two sons and was very involved with her two grandsons. She and her husband enjoyed RV travels and international trips to many countries, including the Holy Land. Barbara enjoyed watching sports and had a strong connection to many teams supported by family members and an unexplained fondness for the San Antonio Spurs.

The family appreciates the many expressions of support from family, friends, church members, and many of Mom’s former students. We would also thank Brookdale Senior Living in Clinton, especially the staff of the Memory Care Unit, who provided such excellent care for Barbara during her last 4 years. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, Clinton or the Mississippi Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.