Ms. Mariannis Willis, age 84 of Ellijay, formerly of Atlanta, Waycross, Broxton, GA, Jacksonville, FL, and Winter Haven, FL, passed away on Wednesday, May 24th, 2023 at Piedmont Mountainside Hospital in Jasper.

Ms. Willis was born on May 8th, 1939 in Douglas, GA to the late Jock Willis and Rosa Lee Adams Willis. She was a graduate of Waycross High School, class of 1957 and later successfully passed the Insurance Institute of America course with tests given at Georgia State University in Atlanta. Ms. Willis began working in the insurance industry starting when she was 18 years old. She began working with State Farm in Jacksonville, FL and Winter Haven, FL. Ms. Willis moved to Atlanta in 1966 to be near her sister and brother-in-law and worked for various insurance companies as an underwriter until 1989. After this, she was unable to work full-time due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Ms. Willis considered her greatest achievement on earth to be her decision to heed the leading of the Holy Spirit of God to believe in the sacrificial blood of His Son, Jesus Christ, for her soul's Salvation. She accepted that invitation, to become a child of God and joint heir with her Savior, at age 14. Ms. Willis was a member of the First Baptist Church of Ellijay. She was especially close with her Sunday Bible study group. In addition to her parents, Ms. Willis is preceded in death by her siblings.

Survivors include two aunts, Maxie Brown of Homerville, GA and Florris Willis of Waycross; special cousin, Jone Parris; several cousins; and a loving church family at the First Baptist Church of Ellijay also survives.

To honor her wishes, Ms. Willis will be cremated, and a memorial service will be held on Wednesday, May 31st at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Ellijay with Rev. Josh Moyers officiating.

Flowers will be accepted in memory of Ms. Mariannis Willis.

Bernhardt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.