John Elias Willis, 81, of Chula passed away Sunday, June 2, 2019, at Tift Regional Medical Center. His funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals with the Rev. Rodney Mitchell officiating. Mr. Willis will be laid to rest at Oak Ridge Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday, June 4, 2019, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Codie Willis, Carl Dasher, Duane Barker, Willis Hopkins, Harrell Willis, David Bowers and Rolando Zicea will serve as pallbearers.
Born May 1, 1938 in Tifton, Mr. Willis was the son of the late Elias Mac Willis and Velma Fitzsimmons Willis. He was also preceded in death by his wife Leslie Gay Beach Willis; two brothers; and two sisters. Before retiring, he was employed by Long Manufacturing Company and was a farmer. He was also owner of the Hopscotch Boutique and a day-care in Chula. He and his wife were foster parents and he loved hunting and fishing.
Mr. Willis is survived by three daughters and one son-in-law, Kim Curry of Norfolk Virginia, Rose and Glenn Hopkins of Marietta and Joni Willis of Bayside, California; one son, Codie Willis of Chula; one step-son and his wife, Jeb and Shonda Brown of Valdosta; eight grandchildren, Cymone Curry, Mary Hopkins, Willis Hopkins, Sophia Rosales, Tripp Rosales, Brock Rosales, Georgia Brown and Kiper Brown; and his special friends, Joseph Harbula and CiCi Giga-Harbula.