Theresa "Black" Willis

Lafayette - A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 12:00 PM at Cypress Funeral Home for Theresa "Black" Willis, age 74, who passed away on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at UHC Medical Center in Lafayette, Louisiana. Allison Dennis will officiate the service. Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2025 from 10:00 AM until service time at Cypress Funeral Home. Theresa Willis, also known as "Black", was born to the late Shirley Prejean and the late Mary Rachel Carmouche of Carencro, Louisiana on July 20,1950. She was the fourth child out of nine children. Black was united in holy matrimony to the late Paul James Willis Sr. on April 19, 1969. They were married for 31 years until his death in January 2000. Theresa worked for the Detroit Public School Board for over 25 years. She was a teacher's/lunch aide at Vernor Elementary in Detroit, Michigan. The children adored her and loved to make her laugh. They would always tell us how nice our mother was to them, especially the kids she would give extra lunch to. She showed much patience and took time to get to know all the kids in the neighborhood. She also worked as a CNA at Oak Pointe Convalescent Home on the overnight shift. She worked both jobs until 1995. Black loved her children, but simply adored her 3 grandsons. They did no wrong in her eyes; each one had a special place in her heart. The firstborn, Ray Ray, or shall I say "Mr. President?" She would say, "Where he is today?" Because one minute he is here, and the next he is there. Her Brah, aka Honeybun. She would always look for that truck to pull up. She would say, "Where are you going now?" Or, "Stay in one place, boy." And last but not least, her baby Keemie, you were so quiet. She would say, "What's wrong with them, Keemie?" And just laugh so hard. Boi Boi, her road dawg; they enjoyed the casino and playing cards. They shared a close bond that will never be broken. Just know, momma is at peace and wants you to live in peace. On Wednesday, January 8, 2025, Theresa suffered a massive heart attack and was taken to UHC Hospital where she later passed on January 9, 2025 at 5:19 pm. Black is survived by her children, Bernnadette Willis-Rice (Charles) and Paul James Willis Jr.; her grandchildren, Rayshon Norris Gore-Willis, Ray'Von Robert Gore-Willis (Icey), and Hakeem Malik Rice (Nia); as well as her siblings, Evelyn Journet, Catherine Willis, Mary Louise Rubin (Ronald), Shirlene Babineaux (Steven) and Margaret Mouton; her sisters in law, Mary Ann Ward, Josephine Sonnier (George), Earline Sonnier, Theresa Richard (Wilbur), Elsie James (Wallace), Nearline Willis, Ruby Prejean, Joanne Prejean and Mildred Prejean; her step sisters in law, Edna Willis, Georgia Foggie and Janette Richard; her brotherd in law, Murphy Willis (Bonnie) and Roland Willis (Michelle); her Godchildren, Zachary Brooks, Shannon Wilkins, Carolyn Johnnie-Ward and Calvin Prejean; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, family friends, and her special friend, Mr. Elwood Harding. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Paul James Willis Sr.; her parents, Shirley Joseph Prejean and Mary Rachel Carmouche; her mother-in-law, Theresa Alfred; her father-in-law, Albert Willis Sr.; her brothers, Carroll Prejean, Peter Prejean, and Juris Prejean; her sister-in-laws, Helen Prejean, Martha Ann Langford, and Linda Alexander; her brother-in-laws, Albert Willis Jr., Russell Willis Sr., Ray Mouton, Robley Journet, and Carlton Willis; as well as her great-grandchild, Baby Gore-Willis. Honorary Pallbearers will be Rayshon Gore-Willis, Ray'Von Gore-Willis, Hakeem Rice, Charles Rice, Russell Willis Jr., and Todd Alexander. Acknowledgement: With sincere appreciation, we wish to thank our friends and family for your expressions of kindness during our time of bereavement. Family of Theresa Willis. Arrangements have been entrusted to Cypress Funeral Home & Crematory, 206 W. Lafayette St., Maurice, LA 70555.

Theresa "Black" Willis

July 20, 1950 - January 9, 2025