Charlotte Willis Obituary

Charlotte (Patterson)Willis, daughter of Wade and Geraldine Patterson, passed away on February 1st, 2019, at the age of 79 years. A native of Wellington, KS, Charlotte graduated from Wellington high school in 1957 and married her junior high school sweetheart Jerry A. Willis just 5 days later. Charlotte and Jerry spent their early married life moving all over the state, including up to 17 moves in one year, with Jerry's job at Southwestern Bell. All the moving began their lifelong habit of "doing everything together" that they would later commend as the secret to a marriage of 61 years.

In 1969, Charlotte moved with her family, which now included her 9 year old son Jerry W. Willis, to Lawrence to set up permanent residence. During this time, she began working at Gill Insurance Company for several years. Charlotte was a member of the women's P.E.O. organization. She was an amazing self-taught seamstress. Her sewn creations included everything from holiday shirts to dresses for her grandkids to furniture coverings. Although Jerry was her only child, she treated her sons' friends, Mike, Greg, Chris, Rick, and Mark, and later their families, as her own.

After Charlotte and Jerry retired in 1991, they moved to Grand Lake in Oklahoma (they experienced the true meaning of the song "You're the reason God made Oklahoma"). Charlotte spent much of her time gardening and playing golf with a group of ladies at the local golf club. She also loved hosting her family and many friends for summer holidays at the lake, especially the 4th of July. During the winter when the weather was cold, Charlotte and Jerry explored the American Southwest in a motorhome, primarily Arizona and New Mexico, sometimes bringing their grandchildren along. Charlotte brought life and love to everything and everyone she touched.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Jerry A. Willis, her son Jerry W. Willis (Kathy), her sisters Merideth Dyer (Ron) and Leslie Thomas, her three grandchildren Elly Claussen (Cale), Emily Willis, and Daniel Clausing (Lauren), as well as her two great-grandchildren Elaine and Jameela. The family would like to specially thank Sherri Vaughn, M.D., the wonderful staff of Medicalodges in Eudora and Hospice Partners of Kansas City for their faithful care of Charlotte these last few years.

A Celebration of Charlotte's life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations in her memory can be made to the activities fund at the Medicalodges in Eudora.