Betty Joyce Willis' Obituary
A Beautiful Journey
Betty Joyce Willis was born on January 3, 1951 in Monroe, Louisiana to her proud parents Aubrey Dunn, Sr. and Doris (Dunn) Ward. She was the eldest daughter of their three children.
As a young girl in Monroe, Louisiana, Betty attended Swayze Elementary School with her oldest brother and youngest sister. Her mother later remarried and in this union three children were born. In 1965, Betty and her family moved to Houston, Texas where she attended middle and high school. In 1969, she graduated from Jack Yates High School. In 1970, Betty married Johnny Willis and in this union one child was born (Cassandra). In 1979, she welcomed the arrival of a son (Reginald).
Being a nurse was always a goal for Betty. She became a student in the nursing program at St. Luke’s Hospital in Houston and later graduated with her certification as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. During her career, she was employed at various medical facilities in the Houston area and provided superior care for so many patients. Along the way she made it a priority to build great relationships. Betty was loved for her kindness, free spirit, and unconditional love. After 45 years of working in the medical industry she retired from MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Betty studied God's word throughout her life and became a faithful member of Outreach Missionary Baptist Church. She later became a member at Greater St. Matthews Baptist Church and occasionally attended House of Love Ministries. Betty also had a very active social life and a sisterhood of friends, which included Mary Dever, Faustine Martin, Corliss Lockhart, Roslyn Smith, and her lifelong friend/sister Bennie Dunn-Lovings. She enjoyed traveling, shopping, and was an avid reader.
On March 21, 2021, Betty transitioned from earthside to glory where she was completely healed. She is preceded in death by her parents Aubrey Dunn, Sr. and Doris Ward. She leaves to cherish her loving memory; her children: Cassandra Willis and Reginald Matthews (Lakeisha Matthews); Sisters: Bennie Dunn-Lovings, Denise Ward, and Janice Ward; Brothers: Aubrey Dunn, Jr., Steve Ward, and Brandon Dunn; Aunt: Beverly Edwards-Slack; Grandchildren: Jeremy Gaines, Malcolm Johnson, Jr., Kenya Morris, and Brittany Willis; Great Grandchildren: Bri'elle and Bradley Jones; Niece: Gwendolyn Dunn; Nephews: Joseph Lewis, Steven Ward, Christopher Scott, Nicholas Townsend, and Kameron Thomas and a host of cousins and friends.
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