Ottie Dell Barnett Willis, 80, of Honey Island, died Sunday, December 20, 2015 at Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston. She was born on December 6, 1935, in OnAlaska, Texas to Velma and Coy Barnett. Ottie worked for Texas Instruments in Houston for over twenty years.
She graduated from Tarkington High School in 1955, where she was a star basketball player. She and her Tarkington Longhorn girl’s basketball team won the state championship in both 1954 and 1955. Ottie married Buddy Willis on March 25, 1955.
Survivors include sons, Eugene Willis of Pasadena and Kevin Willis of Porter; daughters, Donna Cole of Porter and Susan Willis of Kountze; grandchildren, Chase Keller, Mac Cole, Trevor Cole, and Kelsie Willis; great-grandchildren, Isaiah Cole, Staria Cole, Simon Cole, and Braylynn Keller; brothers, Curtis Barnett and his wife, Jan; Ralph Barnett and his wife, Helen; Frank Barnett and his wife, Mary Martha; and Cecil Barnett; and sister, Jonan Eberlan and her husband, Roy.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Buddy Willis; brothers, McClendon Barnett, Raymond Barnett, and Roger Barnett; and sisters, Hazel DuBose, Alta Mae Ayers, Etna Holmes, Ollie Barnett, Bobbie Alford, and Jackie Stephens
A gathering of Mrs. Willis’ family and friends will begin at 9:00 a.m., with her funeral service at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 23, 2051, at Broussard’s, 530 West Monroe, Kountze. Her interment will follow at Jordan Cemetery, Honey Island.
