Willa D. Amos

The Life and Legacy of Willa Dean Amos

Our beautiful Queen, Willa Dean Amos, 83, departed this earthly life into the arms of God’s Kingdom on December 14, 2019 at Sanctuary of Holy Cross in South Bend, Indiana. Willa Dean Amos was born on January 31, 1936 in McCalla, Alabama, the 10th child to parents Sherman and Lula Williams during a snowstorm. This day is still on the record as the most snow ever recorded.  Willa was nicknamed “Snowball” by family members for being born on such a snowy day in Alabama.  

As a child, Willa had a loving spirit that endeared everyone around her. As a young girl, Willa started taking piano lessons.  She had her own piano that she treasured. Willa would go on to write music and play the piano in the church her whole life. After graduating from Brighton High School, Willa moved to Chicago to live with her beloved sister Clara whom she affectionately called “Cabee” and her family. 

Willa would eventually move to Akron, Ohio where she worked as a waitress at Clouser Diner, which was across the street from Firestone Tire and Rubber Company. A handsome man by the name of Joe Amos Jr., a tire builder, went to Clouser’s for a bite to eat and he met the beautiful Willa. They were smitten with each other and would eventually united in holy matrimony in 1966, being married for 32 years of unconditional love, before the passing of Willa’s beloved husband on April 2, 1998.  

Willa loved the Lord with all her heart and soul and was a faithful member of Greater Peace and People’s Baptist Church, in Akron, Ohio, where she played the piano and sang in the choir with her beautiful soprano voice. Queen Willa was the musical director for the first ever male chorus at People’s Baptist Church.

Willa had a strong work ethic and valued being neat and orderly. Willa was employed for 25 years for Akron General Medical Center, working in various jobs over the years as a housekeeper, nurses aide and laboratory technician. Willa took great pride in her work, receiving awards for perfect attendance. Willa also was an advocate for the rights of workers and people, being a union shop steward at Akron General Hospital and for helping organize a neighborhood group called People Power, where she and other fought for rights in the neighborhood for the children and citizens.

Willa loved her children, teaching them to love God first, have a strong work ethic and value education.  When Willa had a stroke, it did not dim her determination, or her love of the Lord. She sang the praises of God daily until the last day of her beautiful life on earth.  Her favorite hymn was “What a friend we have in Jesus”!  Willa was a Christian, praying woman of FAITH, an encouraging person to others and a dedicated wife and mother to her family. Her favorite phrase was, “God may not come when you want him, but he’s right on time!”

Willa is preceded in death by her loving husband, Joe Amos Jr., Infant son, Dennis Maye, Sisters; Sophia Howard, Clara Maye and Ethel Taylor.  Brothers; Moses Wiliams, Genie Williams, Sherman Williams Jr. and Samuel Williams.

Left to cherish her memory are her beloved children, son Anthony (Sabrina) of Chicago, Illinois and daughter Valerie (Jerry) of South Bend, Indiana. Brothers; Louis Williams (Mildred) of Detroit, Michigan and Nathaniel Williams of Akron, Ohio. Special cousin Frozene Williams-Jones of Los Angeles, California. Grandchildren Anthony, Alexis, Ryan and Reginald. Great-granddaughters, Autumn and Armoni, along with nieces, nephews and a host of family and friends.

The family would like to thank the staff of Sanctuary of Holy Cross for their care and support of our beloved mother.  

Final Home-Going Services for Queen Willa will be Saturday, December 28, 2019 at People’s Baptist Church, 525 Vernon Odom Boulevard, Akron Ohio 44307, 330-253-4073. Internment will take place at Glendale Cemetery, where Willa will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband. Stewart and Calhoun Funeral Service.  
 
Condolences may be sent to the Family of Willa Amos 815 E. Chippewa Avenue, South Bend, IN 46614 

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