Ruby Willis-Williams Obituary

RUBY L. STENNIS WILLIS-WILLIAMS
Born: April 21, 1923
Died: November 1, 2024
At the age of 101, Ruby L. Stennis Willis-Williams peacefully went home to be with the Lord on Friday, November 1, 2024. Ruby was the fourth of five children and was born to the late Edgar and Hallie (Moore) Stennis on April 21, 1923, in the town of Shuqualak, (pronounced Suga'lock) Mississippi. When Ruby was a child, the family moved to East Saint Louis, Illinois where she attended Attucks Elementary and Lincoln High School.
At 22 years of age, Ruby traveled to Joliet, Illinois to visit her aunt, Mamie Greer. While in Joliet, Ruby met and fell in love with Mac Willis, Sr. They married on June 15, 1945, and started their family.
Ruby was the matriarch of her family. She embraced and loved her family, church, and the Joliet community. She had high values and standards, and Ruby protected everyone that she loved. She instilled faith in God, love, and a strong work ethic in her five children, fourteen grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren. She was a mentor to many and never gave up on you. Ruby guided her family, and her community of family and close friends with a spiritual and inspirational hand. She was an outspoken and forthright woman. Ruby was clothed in dignity, with a myriad of wonderful qualities including having a Loving and Caring Spirit, Elegance, Gracefulness, and Class all while simultaneously being a Quick-Witted and Feisty Leader.
Ruby was an amazing woman of God. She would often say, "I'm blessed, God is good, and I'm a servant of the Lord." Ruby joined Second Baptist Church in 1945, and she was a faithful and devoted member. Her church was her heart, and Ruby was the oldest living member of Second Baptist Church. Ruby served the Lord at Second Baptist by serving on the Usher Board, being a Sunday School Nursery Teacher and serving on Group Three – Women's Ministry. Ruby was also a participant in the Lebanon Baptist District Association of Joliet.
Ruby was a Will County election judge for over fifty years, a precinct committeeperson, civil rights activist, and an advocate for the first Head Start program in Joliet. She started with Head Start as a bus driver and then became the parent coordinator.
Ruby was an active member of Joliet Area Church Organized Body (JACOB) and later in her life, she took pride in being the Director of the Jolly Club for Seniors. Ruby was also the recipient of the Joliet Rotary Club Silver Eagle Award for being an advocate and mentor to women and "going beyond the call of duty" in her role of committed volunteer service.
Ruby was a boastful and proud charter member of the Joliet Chapter of the National Hook-Up of Black Women. She was the sergeant of arms and by 2013, she was instrumental in recruiting over one-third of the chapter's members.
Ruby was a retired correctional officer at Stateville Correctional Center where she had the distinction of being the first female sergeant. Her primary assignment was overseeing the visiting room. Before and after each day, Ruby would say a prayer for those who remained behind.
Ruby was preceded in death by her parents, Hallie and Edgar Stennis, Sr.; husband, Mac Willis, Sr. and latter husband, Oscar Williams; sisters, Clara Richardson and Mary Saverson; brothers, Roosevelt Stennis, Sr. and Edgar Stennis, Jr.; aunt, Mamie Greer; nephews, George Richardson, and Michael Saverson.
Ruby is survived by her children: Robert Willis, Zandra (Fred) Mitchell-Hawkins, Rubenia Hubbard, Mac (Cynthia) Willis, Jr., and Terrill (April) Willis, Sr. She is also survived by fourteen grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and beloved friends.
Visitation for Ruby will be held on Friday, November 15, 2024, at Second Baptist Church, 156 S. Joliet St., Joliet, IL from 4 - 6 pm. On Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 9 am, visitation will be at Second Baptist Church. Service will commence at 10 am. Interment will follow the funeral service at Elmhurst Cemetery, 1212 E. Washington St., Joliet.
Memorials in Ruby's name can be sent to Second Baptist Church, 156 S. Joliet St., Joliet, IL 60436.
Minor-Morris Funeral Home, Ltd.
112 Richards St. (815) 723-1283