Barbara Davis Willis

Barbara Davis Willis, 79, of Williston, passed away on Monday, March 9, 2026 at her home.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, March 15, 2026 at Smyrna Pentecostal Holiness Church with Pastor Bill Hooper officiating. Burial will follow at Jarrett Bay Community Cemetery in Williston. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm Saturday, March 14, 2026 at the church.

Barbara Davis Willis was born on March 12, 1946, to Adrian and Hannah Davis. She grew up in Williston, where she spent many happy childhood days playing outside with the neighborhood children and enjoying the simple joys of a tight-knit community life. Among those childhood friends was Willie Preston Willis, Jr., who would later become the love of her life.

After graduating from high school, Barbara began working at Ms. Jackson’s shirt factory. In 1965, she and Willie were married, beginning a life together built on love and devotion. Barbara continued working at the factory, which was sold and renamed Blue Bell, where she faithfully worked for 25 years and eventually became a supervisor. She was known for her dedication and skill, operating machines that set shirt pockets, often exceeding the manufacturer’s expected production. During those years, Barbara and Willie were blessed with two children, a daughter, Annette Carol, and a son, Robert Preston.

In 1989, Barbara, along with her husband Willie, opened their dry-cleaning business, B&W Classic Cleaners. Together they built a successful business that faithfully served their community for 30 years. Barbara spent countless hours sewing, hemming, and altering garments, taking great pride in every piece that passed through her hands.

Over the years, she had the joy of watching many families grow- altering clothes for little children and later helping prepare those same children for milestones like graduations, college, and weddings. Sewing was more than just work for Barbara; it was something she truly loved. She welcomed even the most difficult alterations with patience and determination, often accomplishing what seemed nearly impossible.

Barbara dearly loved her grandchildren: Allison Taylor of Marshallberg, and Preston Willis, Fin Willis, and Evelyn Willis of Williston. They brought her great joy and were one of the brightest parts of her life. She treasured spending time with them, whether taking trips, enjoying meals together, or sitting together reminiscing and retelling family stories and memories she loved so much.

She is preceded in death by her parents Adrian and Hannah Davis; her brother, Jerry Davis; her sister, Patty Davis; her father and mother in-law, Preston, and Thelma Willis; brother-in-law, Tim Noulles; and sister-inlaw, Eden VanEtten.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 60 years, Willie P. Willis, Jr.; her daughter, Annette Willis (Wayne) of Marshallberg and their daughter, Allison Taylor; and her son, Robert Willis (Brandy) and their children, Preston, Fin, and Evelyn Willis of Williston; her sister, Sherry Noulles of Chapel Hill; her nieces and nephews Debbie Davis, Amber VanEtten, Renee Wheeler, and Robert VanEtten, Jr.; sisters-in-law, Linda Davis and Donna Lee Brown (Jerry); brother-in-law, Robert VanEtten, Sr.; cousins, Deanna, Gary and Kelly; and cousins-in-law, Darrell, Candace, and Virginia.

Flowers are welcome or donations may be made to: Williston Methodist Church, PO Box 917, Williston, NC 28589, please make memo line read: Memorial for Barbara Willis.

Condolences and life tributes may be sent to the family at www.noefs.net

Arrangements by Noe Funeral Service, Inc. of Beaufort, NC.