Acknowledgements
The family of Deacon Carl Willis is grateful to God for his life, your friendship and for your kindness and prayers.
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Precision Graphic Printers 4848 Old National Highway, Suite B 1 College Park, GA 30337

Tlze Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth ne beside the still waters. He restoreth
my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of tire shadow of deatl1, r
will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Friday, February 15, 2019 11:00 AM
CHRISTIANS FOR CHANGE BAPTIST CHURCH 210 Bethsaida Rd
Riverdale, Georgia 30296
Reverend Dr. Michael W. Baldwin, Pastor

Obituary
Carl Lee Willis was born in Lake Village, Arkansas on Oct 1, 1935 to Ora Brown and his father, Jesse Willis. Carl's early rearing and education influenced his life. He lived with his maternal grandparents Floyd and Amy Grayson in Lake Village. Later going to live in Helena, AR with Joe Stewart, his Dad's (Eddie Stewart) parents. At age 12 he came to Chicago to live with Ora and Eddie Stewart (mom and dad). This expanded in his teenage years to include Eddie's mom (Haley Burks) and Eddie's daughters Ruby and Edna. One BIG HAPPY FAMILY: 2 brothers (Barry and Perry), 2 sisters (Ruby and Edna), 1 grandmother (Miss Haley), his 2 parents and a dog (Prince) - in 4 rooms.
Carl was a brilliant student at J. A. Sexton where he maintained perfect attendance. He went on to Wells High School where he excelled in ROTC (LT. Col), Symphony Orchestra (conductor), Athletic team manager, and finally, served as the first black class president and valedictorian of the class of 1955. All the while he worked 6 miles from home at Domino's Bakery, a small business that existed until 2018. Carl received a 4-year scholarship to the University of Dubuque in Iowa. He was only their fourth Black student. His fondest memory of this time was of his Dad giving him a dime when he went off to college; telling him if he ever had any trouble to "CALL HIM". He graduated with that dime. He served 4 years of active duty in the U.S. Army and 20 years in the National Guard, retiring as Staff Sergeant.
After his Army service, Carl went on to Roosevelt University in Illinois to earn his MBA. During and after college he worked for the Boy Scouts, in life insurance, and for the state of Illinois. Carl's first marriage, to Mar)t Ella Williams Willis, resulted in the blessing of three daughters, Pamela Angela and Carla. He soon gained employment with A. L. Nellum and Associates that offered him a position in Atlanta, GA and he thought this was the best thing for his family. The move eventually lead to employment with the State Government in Atlanta.
It was there he met Dianne Funderburg. They were married on November 11, 1995. Dianne and her adult twins Courtney and Kiera loved Carl with his friendly and kind spirit. Carl's mother's life-long affiliation and work with Landmark Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago inspired his church life and he said at numerous times , "Mama wanted us to be in church" . That was a perfect fit for Dianne who was then a member of Elizabeth Baptist Church. The couple joined Christians for Change Baptist Church in 1998 where they both became entrenched in worshipping God together and in the support of church activities. Carl was very active serving on the Deacon Board , as leader of the Angel Food ministry, in the Male Chorus and as a Sunday School teacher.
Well loved by everyone who met him. Carl was surrounded by famous and brilliant people his entire life. People who went on to become professors, lawyers. musicians, politicians and pillars of society. His favorite uncle was Deacon George Johnson of Union Baptist Church (mentor and sharp dresser), childhood and lifelong friend Wade Hastings, Louis 'LB' Jourdan, Ramsey Lewis, Major Lance (mayor's father), Curtis Mayfield and many others. In spite of, or perhaps because of this, he remained humble and never spoke a lot about his own accomplished past.
He is remembered with love by his devoted wife Dianne, his three daughters Pamela (Mark) Davis, Angela Willis , and Carla Willis. Bonus children Courtney (Tina) Sills and Kiera Sills, brothers Barry (Valerie) Stewart, Perry (Felecia) Stewart, sister Edna Stewart, grandchildren Jamal, Malik, Ivy, Ava, Lea, Josiah, Courtney II and a host of family and loved ones.

Order of Service
Musical Prelude
Processional
Musical Selection
Scripture Reading Old Testament. ..... ....................... Psalms 116:12-15...................... .... Reverend Tamara Hatney New Testament. ........................... Romans 8:11-14........................ ......... Reverend Nikki Martin
Prayer ................................ ................ ............................................ ....... Reverend Leroy Jackson
Musical Selection
Proclamation ......... ........................................... Christians For Change Baptist Church Deacon Board
Remarks (3 minutes, please) ............................................................................Deacon Will Grimes Courtney & Kiera
Tribute by Grandchildren
Musical Selection
Prayer.................. .. ............... ................................................................ Reverend J.E. Hightower
Eulogy................................................................................................Reverend Michael A. Smith
Recessional
Interment
Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens 5755 Mallory Rd
College Park, GA 30349