Yvonne Maxine (Harris) Willis

Yvonne Willis Obituary

Yvonne Maxine Willis (formerly Yvonne Harris) was born on September 9, 1941 in Fargo, Arkansas, to Adell Jones and Robert Lee Harris. She spent her childhood in Fargo and Brinkley, Arkansas, where she was raised primarily by her grandparents, Mamie and Charley Mack Jones.

Yvonne attended Brinkley High School, graduating in 1958. She then enrolled in Arkansas Agricultural, Mechanical & Normal College (now University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff) where she completed a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1963. Afterwards, she moved to Hayti, Missouri where she taught for two years, before moving to St. Louis, Missouri.

In St. Louis, Yvonne continued her teaching career, earning a Master of Arts at Webster College (now Webster University) in 1976. In 1980, her daughter, Kellie Michele, was born. She was a very devoted mother to her only child. Yvonnne was a dedicated educator for 34 years at several St. Louis Public Schools as an elementary and middle school teacher. Much of her tenure was spent at Pruitt Military Academy, where she had a lasting impact on her students and colleagues. She retired officially in January 2001, but returned as a substitute teacher and school librarian until March 2011.

Yvonne was a dedicated member of Third, Northminster, Westminster and Trinity Presbyterian Churches in St. Louis. She had a strong sense of self and sense of style. She will be remembered for her loyalty to her family and friends, her no-nonsense personality and her tenacity in creating the life she wanted to live.

Yvonne was preceded in death by her parents, as well as her beloved sister, Bobbie L. Avery (2025). She leaves to cherish her memory: daughter, Kellie Willis (Montague Simmons); brother, Charles Briggs; nephew, Keon Avery; honorary niece, Dionna Hammett; great nieces, a great nephew, cousins, extended family members, devoted friends and colleagues.

Facebook Event that will go live on Friday:
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YouTube Livestream that will go live on Friday:
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