Celebration Of Life for Willa Blanch Marie (Huddleston) Jones

Willa Blanch Marie (Huddleston) Jones, age 93, of Springfield, Missouri, passed away surrounded by family on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Willa was born on February 20, 1932, to Glenora (Huddleston) Pike and Eugene Billings in Springfield, Missouri, where she remained until the Lord called her home.

Willa graduated from Lincoln High School in 1950 and attended Draughon's Business School and Drury University. She dreamed of becoming an opera singer or a nurse. Throughout her life, Willa was employed in various roles with Heer's, Benjamin Franklin, Neuman's, Kresky's, OACAC Daycare, Litton Industries, Empire Bank, The Professional Building, and self-employed as a cleaning professional. She specialized in office work and accounting. Her dedicated work ethic was passed down to her children, who sometimes accompanied her to jobs.

In 1955, Willa married James C. Jones Sr., and together they had five children: James Jones II(II), Springfield, MO; Rev. Dr. Nora Sherry A. Jones, St. Joseph, MO; Bueford Jones, Springfield, MO; Carolyn Inez Jones-Major, Springfield, MO; and Rev. Cynthia (Jones) Watson (Jerry), Indianapolis, IN.

Willa had an unwavering faith in God. At night, she was often found on her knees in prayer and/or reading her Bible. She taught her children to love the Lord and made sure they got to church each and every Sunday, which meant riding the church bus, riding with loved ones, or walking. This was prefaced by a Saturday night ritual of washing, pressing and curling hair, ironing Sunday clothes, and shining those Sunday shoes! The house was often full of gospel greats such as Aretha Franklin, Andre Crouch, and James Cleveland coming through on the living room stereo.

Throughout her life, Willa would greet people by asking if they had said their prayers, and her goodbyes were accompanied by instructions to "always say your prayers." In her final years, she often exclaimed, "Holy goodness, great and mighty, purity, joy, and peace, Hallelujah!" She was a devoted member of Pitts Chapel UMC, where she was a part of various ministries, including the Young Adult Choir, United Methodist Women, and Sunday School Administration. Even as her mind began to falter, she NEVER forgot the words to the Lord's Prayer, the 23rd Psalm, the hymn Blessed Assurance, and many other songs. She truly loved the Lord with ALL of her heart.

Willa was known by many affectionate names. "Dee" and "Momma Dee" were given to her by her family. Some say her late sister, Tootsie, called her Momma Dee, others say her late cousin, Maurice Walls, started calling her "Dee," while others say her late sister, Jeannie and Jeannie's son, James, Jr. (deceased), started the nickname "Momma Dee." Her grandchildren called her "Granny." No matter what name you knew her as, no one will ever forget her loving kindness, generosity, caring, and sharing ways! Her childhood best friend/cousin was Betty Byron (deceased).

Beyond her five biological children, she gave abundantly to many who knew her as "Momma Dee," opening her heart and home to many. She was just as likely to love you as she was to threaten you with a spanking or a switch. Alongside raising her own children, Willa was instrumental in raising many others, including her brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and some of her grandchildren; all of which loved her dearly! She always had an amazing knack for working with children. As a child, Willa taught herself sign language, in order to communicate with her late cousin, affectionately known as "BB," as well as a family friend.

Willa was a gifted artist and creator. She enjoyed drawing, painting, gardening, sewing, making floral arrangements, baking, cooking, and was an incredible storyteller. Her sweet tooth was unparalleled! Her friends and family always knew to save room for dessert when visiting her or to save her a piece. She had an outstanding voice, hence her desire to become an opera singer. If not tidying, sweeping, scrubbing, laundering, dusting, scouring, or mopping, you'd find her keeping busy in some other way: walking the neighborhood, pacing the yard, or worrying after children (her own and the neighborhood kids). Occasionally, you'd find her sitting on her front porch for over 66 years watching the cars go by and entertaining others.

Willa was fiercely independent and resourceful. She became very creative in raising five children on her own. She was often found splicing wires to repair a lamp, mowing her lawn, or figuring out how to make delicious casseroles out of the few items in her pantry and refrigerator (all of which were delightfully devoured by anyone with a fork!) One of her most memorable dishes was her rice. No one could quite make "rice like Granny!" Her determination and desire to never give up, and always trust in the Lord is certainly what sustained such a remarkable woman of God for 93 years, 2 months, and 13 days! The true epitome of a "virtuous woman" (Proverbs 31:10-31).

Willa's ability to coordinate her wardrobe and jewelry was one of her greatest hallmarks! Often dressed to the nines with perfectly coiffed hair, she walked in complete confidence while holding her head high like the true child of God she knew she was. Not only did each of her children "inherit" her gift of color coordinating from head to toe, but her late brother, affectionately known as "Dopey" once shared a story about how she would not allow him to walk out the door as a teenager 'looking like a hobo.' So for a while, she would lay out Dopey's clothes for him so he was acceptable to his peers (perhaps that played a role in him landing the love of his life!).

Willa is preceded in death by her mother and father; brothers, Harold James "Dopey" Huddleston, Sr., Jerry Lee Huddleston, and Lawrence Huddleston; and sister, Carolyn Jean "Jeannie" (Huddleston) Hawthorne.

Willa is survived by her children, James, Nora, Bueford, Carolyn, and Cynthia. As well by her sisters, Myrtle "Tootsie" O'Neal (Albert, deceased), Las Vegas, NV, Effie Ann "Annie" Johnson, and brother, John C. Huddleston, Springfield, MO; her grandchildren, Terrence (Kara), Jessica, Micah, Shanise, Devon, Adrianna (Joe), Hannah, Sachet (Anthony), and Sadel (Claudia), twelve great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. She is also survived by a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 16, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. at Pitts Chapel United Methodist Church, 600 North Benton Avenue. A visitation will be held just prior to the service from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. at Pitts Chapel. Interment will follow service at Hazelwood Cemetery, in Springfield, Missouri.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Homes.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Preferred Hospice and Springfield Villa, for their tireless dedication not only to our mother and family, but to so many others, as well.

Willa's Memorial Slideshow can be viewed here .