Iva Mae Pitts Willis' Obituary
Iva Mae Pitts Willis, age 87, went to Heaven on August 20, 2021. She loved her family beyond what words can express. Survivors include her husband of 63 years Bill Willis; sons Cliff Willis and Steve Willis (Judy); three grandchildren, Katelyn Parham (Bobby), Kyle Willis (Salina), and Kory Willis (Kelsey); two great-grandsons, Luke Parham and Landon Parham; sister Mavis Swanberg; brothers, Jimmy Dale Pitts (Deb) and Glenn Pitts (Edna) and a host of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Horace Thomas Pitts and Gladys Griffin Pitts; brothers Harold Pitts and Lavern Pitts; and sister, Henrietta Noah.
She was born in Laurel, MS in 1934 and graduated from Glade High School where she played on the girls’ basketball team. She then attended Jones Jr. College. After proudly serving three years in the United States Air Force (tour of duty in Germany), Iva worked at Bush Dairy, Laurel, MS; Standard Life Insurance Co, Jackson, MS; LA National Bank, Baton Rouge, LA; Gainesville Gas Co.; the University of Florida and Sun Trust Bank, Gainesville.
Iva was a long-time member of Westside Baptist Church and the Jabez Bible Life Group. She was very active in serving in the church home-bound ministry playing cards with some of the ladies weekly, taught the two-year-olds many years, sang in the choir, and served through hospitality whenever help was needed. Iva was a beautiful person inside and out and loved the Lord and her family well. Iva invites all her relatives and friends to join her in Heaven one day.
There will be a private funeral service. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Single Mom’s Ministry at Westside Baptist Church, Gainesville, FL.
What’s your fondest memory of Iva?
What’s a lesson you learned from Iva?
Share a story where Iva's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Iva you’ll never forget.
How did Iva make you smile?

