Submitted by: John C. Monk

 

Willie Lee Foulks  

Nov. 20, 1928 - June 8, 2010
SOUTH BEND - Mr. Willie Lee Foulks, 81, answered God's calling on Tuesday, June 8, in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center following a long illness. He was born on November 20, 1928, in Huntsville, AL, to the union of Johnson and Mary (Thomas) Foulks, who both preceded him in death. In 1951 he moved from Ripley, TN, to South Bend, where he united in marriage with Louise Wardlow on April 14, 1951. Willis was a member of Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church. He retired from Eagle Products in Mishawaka after approximately 35 years of service as a foreman. Willis was a well-respected gentleman in the community and maintained a strong work ethic. He was an outstanding provider and exceptional husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He loved to be in the company of his family and friends. He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan. He enjoyed keeping his lawn well-groomed. Willie's hobbies were hunting, playing cards, eating sweets, and luxury cars, with his favorite being the Lincoln Continental. Willie's memory will be long cherished by his children, Deborah Sanders-Harrison (Casey) and Willie E. Foulks, both of South Bend; sister, Ethel Foulks of Mount Vernon, IL; cousins, Robert Foulks of Little Rock, AR, Londell Foulks and Geraldine Foulks, both of Detroit, Verline (Joe) Johnson, Geneva Foulks, Mary Foulks and Lillian Dawson, all of South Bend, Calvin Foulks of Conyers, GA, and Tommy Foulks of Blytheville, AR; sisters-in-law, Margaret (Willie) Hubbard and Martha (Archie) Winston of South Bedn; brothers-in-law, Clyde (Deidra) Wardlow of South Bend and Robert Wardlow of Elkhart; grandchildren, Craig (Dana) Marsh and Adrienne (Charles) Dickerson of South Bend, Andrea Sanders, Kevin Foulks, and Wade Foulks, all of Indianapolis, and Marsha Foulks-Griggs of Plano, TX; as well as a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Willie was preceded in death by his parents, Johnson and Mary Foulks; wife, Louise Foulks; sister, Henrietta "Nannie" Taylor; son, Ronald Foulks; and two grandsons Deric and Jeremy Foulks. Funeral services will be held at noon on Tuesday, June 15, in Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, 116 N. Birdsell, South Bend, IN 46628, where the pastor is Rev. H. Gregory Haygood. Visitation will be one hour prior to services in the church, with burial following at Highland Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Alford's Mortuary where messages of bereavement may be e-mailed to Alfordsmortuary@comcast.net, c/o the Foulks family.

Published in South Bend Tribune on June 13, 2010