Ms. Shirley Ann Willis

“ ..to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8 Big Stone Gap VA, Shirley Ann Willis ,76, went to be with her Lord, on the Lord’s day, Sunday, December 28, 2014, at her home after a brief illness. Shirley accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior at a young age. She contributed to many ministries and charities. She enjoyed watching church services on television, gospel singing, and country music. She enjoyed reading, especially local history. She was born in Pardee, Virginia, April 14, 1938. Shirley was an artist. Her oil paintings and reprints of her painting of Pardee hang on many walls of lots of people who appreciate her talent. An art critic from Oxford University, visiting in the area, said, “This artist should be known to the world at large. Artist Shirley Willis brings to this planet, through her art, something that seems to harmonize all of nature and its inhabitants in a natural rhythm of life.” Her portrayal of Pardee is a measure of the strengths of a proud people, and her paintings of Bee Rock Tunnel and Natural Tunnel are expressions and celebrations of the wonderment of nature. Her painting of Pardee was sold to a college professor who was writing a book on how local artists have excelled in their craft, but without formal training. Shirley had polio when she was a child but she was never a victim of the results. She conducted her life with a keen sense of humor without the wailing of adversity. Her world always looked fresh and new. And when we see it as she did we never stop noticing the beauty and wonder of nature. She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Narcissis “Bledsoe” Willis. She is survived by one sister, Penny Jewell Willis,of the home; one aunt, Cora Roller, of Churchill, Tennessee; and serveral cousins. The family will receive friends on Thursday (Jan 1) from 12 noon until 2 at Holding Funeral Home for the visitation. The funeral service will be conducted following the visitation in the funeral home’s chapel with the Rev. Alan Collier officiating. Special Music will be provided by the Maness Family Singers, Sylvia Zirkle, and Danny Bush. Pallbearers will be; Jerry McLain, Jerry Bledsoe, Brian Edwards, M.D. Edwards, Danny Bush, Steven Kindle, David Edwards, and Claude Bledsoe. The interment will follow in Glencoe Cemetery You may go online to view the obituary or sign the guest registry at www.holdingfuneralhome.com Holding Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for the Willis family.

Ms. Shirley Ann Willis

April 14, 1938 - December 28, 2014

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