Emma Jo (Willis) Cannady

Mrs. Emma Jo Willis Cannady, age 94, of Vidalia, passed away Friday, August 22, 2025, at Oxley Park Health & Rehab in Lyons after an extended illness. She was a native of Montgomery County where she lived most of her life. She was born into a musical family where all eight children played at least one instrument. In her early 20s, she and her brother, R.W., formed a band that toured up and down the east coast and up into Appalachia to Kentucky. They recorded live on several radio stations where they took audience requests. Her most requested song was “Matthew 24”. In 1954, she accepted the marriage proposal of a young farmer named Eugene. They lived and worked on the family farm until her husband of forty-three years passed away in 1997. She subsequently moved to a nearby farm with her daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren where she lived until her passing. She was a long-time member of Blockers Chapel Church and later attended Smith Street Baptist Church. She enjoyed reading her Bible, Biblical word searches, and her several bulldogs she had in her life, including Buffy, Jody, Dolly, and Tiger.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Eugene F. Cannady; parents, Reuben Wade Willis and Ila Jane Tapley Willis; brothers, Remer, Roscoe (Coonie), Milo, Leo, Lawford, and R.W. Willis; and sister, Jeanette Willis Hadden.

She is survived by one daughter, Ginger Cannady Moore and husband Dale; one granddaughter, Tiffany M. Faulk and husband Dr. Charles Faulk, all of Vidalia; one grandson, Jarrod D. Moore and wife Kathryn of Mukilteo, Washington; five great-grandchildren, Emilia and William Faulk of Vidalia, and Keegan, Isaac, and Emmett Moore of Mukilteo; one sister-in-law, Murline Willis; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday afternoon from 1:30 until 2:30.

A graveside funeral service will be on Thursday afternoon, August 28, 2025, at 3:00 at Lakeview Memorial Gardens with Pastor Brian Durden officiating.

Flowers are accepted, or memorial donations are suggested to the Sweet Onion Animal Protection Society, PO Box 210, Vidalia, GA 30475.

Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home of Vidalia is in charge of arrangements.

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