Gloria Ann "Mimi" Willard's Obituary
GLORIA ANN WILLARD “Mimi” — age 76, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, May 18, 2016 at Germantown Methodist Hospital after a long fight with cancer. She is now with her husband of 56 years, in Heaven, Billy Gerald Willard “Gagy”. Mimi is survived by five children and their spouses: Billy Jr. and Gay Willard; Melanie and Keith Willer; Scott and Carla Willard; Landon and Kaci Willard; and Richmond and Christy Willard. She also leaves behind fourteen grandchildren: Chris, Jake, Casey and Nathan Willer; Cody (and wife, Julie) and Alli Willard; Eli, Emma, Ellie, and Ethan Willard; Riley and Luke Willard; and Andi Gayle and Reid Willard. She is also survived by her brothers and sisters: Bill Kirby; Judy Cole; Lamar Kirby and Linda Middleton. She is preceded in death by her mother, Helen Fern Kirby. Mimi, devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, sister and friend was a wonderful homemaker having raised five children and countless other friends through her love and discipline. Also known as “Hurricane” her passionate spirit helped protect her children and keep them and their friends on the right course of life. She was active in the Willow Oaks PTA and made many wonderful friends who continued to support her through her illness. A born again Christian, she loved her Lord and Savior and when her spouse of 56 years passed away from a brief illness, she leaned on the Lord and her children to be independent and self sufficient. She loved her grandchildren and was very proud of all of them and their accomplishments. She was excited when her fourteenth grandchild was born recently and had looked forward to his arrival even though she was fighting an uphill battle with her illness. The Legacy “Mimi” and “Gagy” left behind will live forever through their children and grandchildren. She never met a stranger and loved her new friends she had bonded with at Town Village at Audubon Park. To those who had the pleasure of knowing her and loving her, visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 21 at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, followed by her service at 3:00 p.m. and immediately afterwards, a graveside service. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis TN 38119. (901) 767-8930. “Celebrating Life….Behind the Stone Wall.”
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