Vidalia/Talladega, Alabama

Mr. Rufus Edward “Mann” Willis, Sr., age 87, of Talladega, Alabama, died Wednesday, November 29, 2017, in the Citizens Baptist Hospital in Talladega, after a brief illness.  He was a native of Ferndale, Florida, lived in Florida most of his life, moved to Vidalia in 1991 and moved to Talladega in 2017.  He worked in the citrus industry most of his life, and was Baptist by faith.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty G. Willis; a son, Donald W. Worthington; parents, Buck and Pauline Willis; and three brothers, Robert Willis, Richard Willis, and Morgan “Cebo” Willis.

Mr. Willis is survived by six children, William Joseph “Joe” Willis and wife Jennie of Webster; Betty Joyce Smith and husband “Cooter” of Astatula, Florida, Barbara McCrummen and husband Murray of Okeechobee, Florida, Rufus “Jaybird” Willis and wife Peggy of Talladega, Johnny David Willis of Mascotte, Florida, and Paula Dorn and husband Kenneth of Clermont, Florida; one brother, Lonnie Willis of Vidalia; two sisters, Gladys Smith and Lorene Willis of Lyons; thirty-three grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

The graveside funeral service will be held Wednesday, December 6th at 2:00 p.m. in the Cedar Crossing Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday morning from 10:00 until 12:00 Noon.

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