Mrs. Estella Smith Willis also known as "Stella", was born March 16, 1947, to the late Jack Ramsey and Johnny B. Johnson Smith of Learned,
Mississippi. She was later adopted by the late Lillie Mae Ramsey, also of Learned, Mississippi. She departed this life on August 11, 2022, at 12:30 p.m. She attended school at Mt. Moriah and Carver Middle School. She became employed as a Housekeeper and Caregiver for over 30 years. She joined Galilee Missionary Baptist Church at an early age and attended St. James Missionary Baptist Church regularly. She became a licensed Evangelist, and served as a Sunday School Superintendent; she previously served as an Eastern Star member and with the Baptist Union; and
continued to serve on the Mother Board until she departed. Estella Willis was united in holy matrimony to Mr. Earl Lee Smith, Sr. Four children were born to this union, Debra, Earl Lee, Jr., Bernard and Timothy. Later, Mrs. Estella married Mr. Eddie Lee Willis. Mrs. Willis was preceded in death by her child, Timothy; her husbands, Mr. Earl Lee Smith, Sr. and Mr. Eddie Lee Willis; a sister, Alice Brown; and a brother, Eddie Lee Johnson. Mrs. Estella leaves to mourn her passing, yet to cherish her loving memory: three children, Debra Smith Russell, Edwards, Mississippi, Earl Lee Smith, Jr., Jackson, Mississippi and Bernard Smith (Marie) of Jackson, Mississippi; adopted daughter, Joyce Marie Willis (Eldorado), Jacksonville, Florida.
12 grandchildren; five great grandchildren; a special god daughter, Mariah Morley, Edwards, Mississippi; seven sisters, Dorothy Stewart, Vallejo, California, Elma Lowe (Sylvester), Madison, Mississippi, Johnny Johnson, Jackson, Mississippi, Hattie Smith, Houston, Texas, Fannie White (Percy), Jackson, Mississippi, Annie Williams (Larry), San Antonio, Texas, Susie Shepherd, Edwards, Mississippi; three brothers, John Carter (Renita), Riverdale, Illinois, Lee Smith (Yolanda), Jackson, Mississippi and James Williams, Raymond, Mississippi; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.