Patty Sherrod Willis

family.

She was born in Knoxville, Tennessee on April 11, 1931, to Patty and William J. Starr.

She grew up in Newport, Tennessee and graduated from Cocke County High School in 1948. She graduated from St. Mary’s School in Raleigh in 1950, and graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1952 with an AB in Education. At UNC, she was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority and the May Court.

Following her graduation, she married Arthur Rexford Willis Jr. on May 31, 1952. While her husband was in the Army, she began a teaching career which spanned 19 years. They settled in New Bern, where she was an active member of Christ Episcopal Church, serving the Church and the Lord in many capacities until her death. Patty’s hobbies included tennis, bridge, and boating, but her favorite hobby was being a grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Rex, who died in 2018. She is survived by two sons: Arthur Rexford Willis III and William Starr Willis, and his wife Cristina, her daughter-in-law Holly Willis, and five grandchildren: Joseph Starr Willis, Alice Holler Willis, Sherrod Brinson Willis, Arthur Rexford Willis V, and Gabriella D. Willis.

Services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 3rd at Christ Episcopal Church in New Bern. The family will receive friends following the service in the parish hall. Memorials may be made in her honor to the Church (www.christchurchnewbern.com/give).

You may share memories and address condolences to the family by visiting www.cottenfuneralhome.com.

Cotten Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Willis family.