Graveside services for Margie Vernell Willett, age 88 of Ruston, LA will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at Kilpatrick’s Memorial Gardens in Ruston, LA with Rev. Dale Oden officiating. Burial will follow under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.
Vernell was born, September 21, 1935 in Jonesboro, LA from the union of Griss and Mildred Shackelford. She died, April 26, 2024 at her home in Ruston, LA. Vernell loved to travel. She was an excellent cook and was noted for her chocolate and coconut pies. Vernell worked for Sears, Jarrell’s and Lewis’s. She enjoyed modeling for fashion shows and luncheons. Vernell took great joy in the church and played Canasta with the church ladies from Temple Baptist Church and Cook Baptist Church. Vernell was preceded in death by her parents: Griss and Mildred Shackelford; brother, Buddy Shackelford; husband of 66 years, Bobby Willett; twin grandchildren: Jacob and Joshua Willett.
Vernell is survived by her daughter, Debbie Allen and husband Dennis of Ruston, LA; sons: Donald Willett of Farmerville, LA, Ronald Willett and wife Brenda of N. Little Rock, AR; and Gary Willett and wife Tammy of Ruston, LA; sister, Barbara Robinson Stringer of Jonesboro, LA; grandchildren: Brad Allen, Amy Lee, and Mollie Willett; and great-grandchildren: Tyler Allen, Samantha Allen, Sylvia Lackey, Lillie McManus, and Abbie Tarbor.
Serving as pallbearers will be Dennis Allen, Brad Allen, Kirk Elam and Tyler Allen.
Visitation for Margie Vernell Willett will be held at Owens Memorial Chapel in Ruston, LA on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 from 9:30 AM until 10:30 AM.
Donations can be made to St. Jude.
