Lillie Mae Willis, 76, of Sanford, entered the sunset of life on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 at her residence. The daughter of James Brown, Sr. and Lila Woodbury, she was born on Monday, March 10, 1948 in Johnsonville, SC. She was educated in the Putnam County School District. Lillie was a longtime resident of Palatka, until 1998 when she relocated to Sanford. She was a retired homemaker who enjoyed cooking and fishing.

In addition to her parents, Lillie was preceded in eternal rest by her husband, Jessie C. Willis; brothers, Jerry Newkirk, James Newkirk, Jimmy Lee Brown, Robert Lee Brown, Sr., Johnny Brown.

She leaves to cherish her loving memories: daughter, Thelma Willis, Palatka; like a son, Christopher Chavis, Palatka; brother, James Brown, Jr., Dover, NJ; sister, Sallie Mae (Coit) Gilliard, Hemmingway, SC; devoted niece, Janice Clayton, Sanford; devoted nephew, Timothy (Shay) Blanch, Oviedo; nieces and nephews, Linda Brown Marshall, Tanisha Young, Robert Lee Brown, Jr., all of Palatka; Felicia (Tim) Kee, San Mateo; Peggy Varner, Roderick McCray, both of Sanford; sisters-in-law, Geraldine Newkirk, Leland, NC; Ophila Newkirk, Philadelphia, PA; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation of family and friends will be 5-8 p.m., Friday, June 30 and Celebration of Lillie's Life will be 2 p.m., Saturday, July 1, at "Flagg's Chapel of Serenity." Lillie's great-nephew, Minister Timothy Blanch, Global Faith Ministries, Sanford, officiating. Interment will be in Oak Hill West Cemetery, Palatka.