Olivia M. Willie

On the thirtieth day of August, in the year of Nineteen Hundred and Nineteen a Baby Girl was born to Mr. John Dyer and Mrs. Pattie Eppes Arrington Dyer in Greenville, North Carolina. She was Christened, Ollie Gertrude Dyer. In later years after graduating from college, she adopted the name “Olivia”, and her friends affectionately called her Libby. She was baptized in the Sycamore Hill Baptist Church under the Pastorage of Reverend James A. Nimmo, Sr. in Greenville, North Carolina. She received her early education in Greenville, North Carolina at Fleming Street School. She graduated from C. M. Eppes High School in Greenville, North Carolina. Upon graduating from high school, she went to Fayetteville State Teachers College, where she studied Business and Elementary Education. She played on the All Girls’ Basketball Team as a Guard. Upon graduating from college, she went to live with her mother’s sister, Aunt Mary Jones in Baltimore, Maryland. She was the eighth child of thirteen siblings. She was preceded in death by her mother, father, six sisters, five brothers, a devoted niece, Jean Robinson. From the thirteen children, there is only one sibling left and that is the Reverend Dr. Maggie Ruth Lynch Mallory of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While she was working in the Defense Plant near Aberdeen, Maryland, she met and married Mr. James Willie of Texarkana, Texas, who was serving in the United States Army. From this union were born three children: Mrs. Qunitcoe A. Lee (David) of Springfield, VA, Mr. Roderick Vincent Willie (Candice) and the late Mr. Michael Willie. From those three children she received four grandchildren, whom she loved dearly: Miss Candice (Nikki) Willie, the late Mr. David Lee, Mr. Michael Willie and Mr. Peter Lee. She had three great-grandchildren: Marcus Lee, Makayla Lee and Aimori Lee. She was a dedicated member of Whitestone Baptist Church, where she sang on the choir under the Pastorage of Reverend Dr. Elmore E. Warren, Jr. of whom she loved and respected. Her attendance stopped due to her illness. She was a member of Club Sixty in the church. She is a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Price Hall Affiliation. She was a member of the Howard Park Civic Association. She helped to feed the needy and collect clothing and give them to the needy until she was unable to function. She was proud to say that she Mothered more than forty foster children, who still come by to see her. On Tuesday morning, October 30, 2012, the Lord opened His loving arms and received Libby into eternal life. She leaves to cherish her memory: her children, Mrs. Qunitcoe A. Lee (David) and Mr. Roderick V. Willie; grandsons, Mr. Peter Lee and Mr. Michael Willie; granddaughter, Miss Candice (Nikki) Willie; great-grandchildren, Marcus Lee, Makayla Willie and Aimori Willie; a devoted sister, Reverend Dr. Maggie R. L. Mallory; a dedicated nephew, Mr. Christopher Adams; a devoted niece, Mrs. Patricia Taylor; a caregiver and friend, Sister Sandra Clark; a dear friend and advisor, Mr. Kevin Walker; a friendly driver, Miss Tana Reed; a nephew, Mr. G. Wayne Mallory; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, loving friends and devoted church family.

Tributes

Olivia M. Willie

August 30, 1919 - October 30, 2012