Submitted by: Dan Rich

Willa Belle Conners

Sept. 6, 1934 - Oct. 11, 2002

South Bend Tribune 10/14/2002

Mrs. Willa Belle Conners, 68, loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend passed away in her home on Huey Street Friday morning at 8 a.m. after an extended illness. She was born to the union of William and Alberta (Anderson) Gilkey on September 6, 1934, in Macon, Mississippi. The family moved to South Bend in 1942. Willa was educated in the South Bend Community School System. She graduated from Washington High School in 1954. She received an Associate Degree in early childhood development from I.U.S.B. in 1979.

In July of 1953 she was united in Holy Matrimony to her childhood sweetheart, Lonnie B. Conners. He was stationed with the Air Force at the time, which gave her the opportunity to travel throughout Europe, Africa, Spain and France. They were blessed with two children, Cassandra and Leonard. Willa began teaching with the head start program in 1967 as an assistant teacher. In 1970 she was promoted to teacher where she continued until her retirement in 2000. Because of her love for children she returned to work as a bus aide until her illness prevented her from working. During her 56 years as a member of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church she taught Sunday school, vacation bible school, she sang with the Junior and Senior Choir, worked on the Usher board, with the Willing Workers and the Nurses Guild. Willa served as a den mother for the Boy Scouts and a Brownie Troop Leader for Blue Buds and Brownies. She also served as a Grey Lady in the Air Force. She was a former member of the Urban League and the Urban League Guild.

Loving family members who will cherish her memory include two children, Cassandra Conners of South Bend and Leonard Conners of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; five grandchildren, Adrian and James Dillard and Lenisha Conners all of South Bend. Kenyetta and Julius Hunt of Tacoma, Washington; two sisters, Corine Ross and Mattie Duke both of South Bend; stepmother, Gertrude Gilkey of Mishawaka; four sister-in-laws. Juanita Gilkey, Alfred Lee Winter, Peggy Jennings, all of South Bend and Brenda Jennings of Chicago, Illinois; four brother-in-laws, Ollie Ross, Joe Duke and Larry Jennings, of South Bend and Jerome Jennings of Beloit, Wisconsin. One aunt, Ardeen Reed of Youngstown, Ohio. One God brother, Louis Turley of Toledo, Ohio and a host of nieces and nephews and other relatives. Willa was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, William Gilkey Jr.

Funeral services will be held at noon Wednesday, October 16, 2002 at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church. Burial will be at Highland Cemetery. Visitation with family will be one hour before services. Arrangements have been entrusted with Alford's Mortuary.