Rogelyn Arlo (Kitty) Willis

January 26, 2015

Mrs. Rogelyn Arlo (Kitty) Willis, age 74, passed away Monday, January 26, 2015, at Memorial Manor in Bainbridge, Georgia. Services for Mrs. Willis will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, January 28, at Climax Baptist Church in Climax, Georgia. Rev. Steve Poppell will be officiating. Mark Willis, Ell Willis, Ashley Long, Jonathan Long, Jad Dowdy, Jeff Dowdy, and Paul Bridges will serve as pallbearers. Although the service will conclude at the church, burial will be at Cedar Grove Cemetery.The family will received friends from 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, January 27, 2015, at Cox Funeral Home Chapel.

Rogelyn Arlo (Kitty) Willis was born in Bainbridge, Georgia to Rev. John Rogers Long and Susie Evelyn Kendrick Long. She married the love of her life, Elisha James (Nump) Willis, Jr., her husband of 54 years.

Kitty was a talented musician. She played the piano and shared her beautiful voice in many area churches and throughout the community. She was a great cook. She loved to cook for her grandchildren, who spent many summers at her home in Climax. Mrs. Willis was a member of the Climax Community Club and played piano for Pine Forest Baptist Church and Climax Baptist Church. Kitty loved her family dearly and will be sorely missed by each of them.

Kitty Willis is survived by her husband, Elisha James “Nump” Willis, Jr. of Bainbridge; children, James A. Willis and wife, Monica, of New York City, N.Y. and Nashville, Tennessee, Sarah Willis of Bainbridge, Teresa Holton and husband, John Byron of Clermont, Florida, and Daryl Willis and wife, Jennifer of Bainbridge; sisters and brothers, Ulatha Bridges of Brinson, Georgia, Charla Palmer and husband, Charles, Daryl Long and wife, Carolyn, Brenda Dowdy and husband Johnny, Dargan Long and wife, Kelly, Arky Long and wife, Gail, all of Bainbridge; grandchildren, Carson and Annabel Willis, Molly and John Holton, Jr., Ralyn, Elizabeth, Sarah Grace, and Colton Willis; and aunt, Betty Sue Long of Bainbridge.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John Rogers Long and Evelyn Susan Kendrick: uncle, James Bronza (Red) Long, brother-in-law, Paul (Bunky) Bridges, and nephew, Charles Lloyd (Tra) Palmer, Jr.

On-line condolences may be sent at www.coxfuneral.net.