Rev. Jerry E. Willis

Rev. Jerry E. Willis, 65, of Albany, GA died Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at Willson Hospice House. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, September 20, 2018 at 4:00 pm at Mathews Funeral Home. Mr. Ross Powell and Mrs. Mandy Kavanaugh will officiate. Interment will follow in Crown Hill Cemetery.

Born in Akin, SC, Rev. Willis was adopted into the home of Namon and Jolene Willis where he grew to love Jesus, his family and neighbors. Jerry loved performing arts throughout high school and college and found his calling when he was ordained as a Southern Baptist pastor in 1971. Over the next 25 years, he would serve churches across Georgia and Alabama as Minister of Music and Youth. Jerry made South Georgia his home in 1989 where he began a new chapter as the high school history teacher at Byne Memorial Baptist Christian School. For 18 years, he impacted countless students through his representation of Jesus along with his kindness and generosity. Continuing to serve local churches bi-vocationally, it was Jerry’s honor to serve the people of Mercedes Baptist Church for the past 6 years, leading them to love God and serve others by living a lifestyle of generosity. It was his exceptional privilege to deliver his last sermon just 2 weeks prior to his passing.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur Namon Willis and Jolene Pritchett Willis.

Survivors include his wife, Donna Jean Tucker Willis, a daughter, Mandy Kavanaugh and her husband, Scott and a son, Christopher Sean Willis all of Albany, GA, a brother Randy Willis and his wife Joyce, Tifton, GA, his father and mother-in-law, Bill and Joan Seago Tucker, Putney, GA and two granddaughters, Hannah Grace Kavanaugh and Emily Kavanaugh both of Albany, GA.

The family is accepting visitors at the residence of Scott and Mandy Kavanaugh, 3626 Club Drive, Albany, GA, 31721.

Visitation will be Thursday from 3 pm until the 4 pm funeral hour at Mathews Funeral Home.

Those desiring may make memorials in memory of Rev. Jerry E. Willis to Willson Hospice House, 320 Foundation Lane, Albany, GA, 31707, or to Flint Community Bank, 2910 Meredyth Drive, Albany, GA 31721, account titled “Jerry’s Kids” established by Rev. Willis’ students to erect a memorial monument at his grave site.