Person Page - 4766

     Crystal Dora Manning was buried at Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.³ Her married name was Elkins.³ She married Unknown Elkins.³ Crystal Dora Manning was born in 1907 at Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^2,4,3 As of July 26, 1924,her married name was Willis.² She married Edward Preston Willis, son of Encebious Finkles/Fulkes "Earl" Willis and Cora Ellen Terry, on July 26, 1924 at Fayetteville, Fayette Co., West Virginia.^1,2 Crystal Dora Manning died in 1980.³

     Marian Elizabeth "Mernie" Willis Thornton, Marian Elizabeth, "Mernie", 87, of St. Petersburg, FL found peace on April 23, 2013. She was born on April 5, 1926 in Beckley, WV. Preceded in death by her husband David Thornton and her daughter Cynthia Thornton (Walker). Survived by son Michael Thornton and granddaughter/best friend Kathleen Walker; grandchildren Matthew Walker, Tanner and Abigail Thornton.³ She was buried at Memorial Park Cemetery, 4900 54th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, Pinellas Co., Florida.⁸ She was born on April 5, 1926 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^2,3,8 As of February 2, 1951,her married name was Thornton.² She married David McRae Thornton on February 2, 1951 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^2,3 Marian Elizabeth "Mernie" Willis died on April 23, 2013 at St. Petersburg, Pinellas Co., Florida, at age 87.^3,8

     Betty Mae "Bessie" Willis was buried at Sunset Hills Memory Gardens, 7920 Frank Ave N.W., North Canton, Stark Co., Ohio.⁶ She Betty Mae “Beebe” Edmunds, age 90 of North Canton, passed away on August 8, 2018 in Massillon, Ohio. She was born on May 17, 1928 in Beckley, West Virginia to the late Edward and Dora Willis. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley, West Virginia. She worked in retail for many years and enjoyed woodworking and reading. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 53 years, Edwin C., grandson Zachary, and sisters; Marian Thornton and Virginia Spessard. She is survived by her children Edwin (Liz), Matthew, Mark, and David (Kyle), grandchildren; Tim (Dairia), Steven, Erin (Brian), Michael (Amelia), Ashely, Jordan, Bradley, and Samuel, great-grandchildren, Lucie, Michael, Noah, Tyson, and Braxton, and brother, Dr. Donald (Lorre) Willis. Interment will follow at Sunset Hills Memory Gardens.⁶ She was born on May 17, 1928 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^4,5,6 As of March 29, 1951,her married name was Edmunds.⁵ She married Edwin Clacy Edmunds on March 29, 1951 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^5,9,6 Betty Mae "Bessie" Willis died on August 8, 2018 at Massillon, Stark Co., Ohio, at age 90.^4,6

     Virginia Dare Willis Virginia Dare Spessard, Feb 9, 1930 – Aug 27, 2016.⁸ She was born on February 9, 1930 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^6,8 As of July 25, 1948,her married name was Spessard.⁶ She married Donald Lee Spessard on July 25, 1948 at Meigs Co., Ohio.⁶ Virginia Dare Willis died on August 27, 2016 at Colorado at age 86.⁸

     His Social Security Number was 232-38-1166.⁵ David McRae Thornton was buried at Memorial Park Cemetery, 4900 54th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, Pinellas Co., Florida.³ He was born on November 8, 1929 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^1,3,5,4,6 He married Marian Elizabeth "Mernie" Willis, daughter of Edward Preston Willis and Crystal Dora Manning, on February 2, 1951 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^1,2 David McRae Thornton died on October 3, 2000 at Florida at age 70.^3,5

     Cynthia Cheryl Thornton was buried at Memorial Park Cemetery, 4900 54th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, Pinellas Co., Florida.³ Her Social Security Number was 263-57-6233.⁷ She was born on February 14, 1960 at Apalachicola, Franklin Co., Florida.^7,3,4,5 As of August 6, 1983,her married name was Walker.² She married Steven Michael Walker on August 6, 1983 at Pinellas Co., Florida.^2,4 Cynthia Cheryl Thornton died on July 11, 2003 at St. Petersburg, Pinellas Co., Florida, at age 43.^7,3,4 She Walker, Cynthia Thornton "Cindy," 43, of St. Petersburg, died Friday (July 11, 2003). Born in Apalachicola, she came here in 1972 from Ocala. She was a 1978 graduate of Northeast High School and a graduate of Beckley College in Beckley, W.Va. She was a former preschool teacher at First United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg. Survivors include her husband of 19 years, Steve; a son, Matthew, a daughter, Katie, her mother, Marian Thornton, a brother, Mike Thornton, and a nephew, Tanner Thornton, all of St. Petersburg. John S. Rhodes, East Chapel, St. Petersburg. on July 13, 2003.⁶

     Donald Edward Willis Ph.D. Donald Edward Willis of St Louis, Missouri, passed away peacefully on March 23rd, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. He was 88 years old. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Lorre Willis; his son, Greg (Kimberly) Willis in Chesterfield, Missouri, and two grandchildren, Preston and Lauren. Don was born in 1934 in Beckley, West Virginia, to Edward Preston Willis and Crystal Dora Willis. He was the youngest of 4 children: Marian, Betty and Virginia. He earned an Eagle Scout rank and was Valedictorian at Woodrow Wilson High School. After serving 1 year at the Coast Guard Academy, he attended Marshall University, where he met Lorre. Upon graduation, they married and moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he earned a Masters and PhD in Chemistry. In 1962, they moved to St. Louis, where Don was an Analytical Research Chemist for Monsanto for 35 years. After retiring, he worked another 10+ years for Ralston Purina. Don loved spending time with his grandchildren, whom he adored. He was an active member of Kirkwood Baptist Church in Kirkwood, Missouri, where he served as a Deacon. Don loved to ski and golf as well as traveling to visit friends and exploring new places.⁵ He was born on July 19, 1934 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^3,4 He married Loretta Mae "Lorre" Huber on June 9, 1957 at Clarksburg, Harrison Co., West Virginia.⁴ Donald Edward Willis Ph.D. died on March 23, 2023 at St. Louis, Missouri, at age 88.⁵