WILLIS, Fern

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ March 2, 2007 Fern Penrod Mettie Willis, 98, died Feb. 27, 2007, at her home in Lakeside. She was born Sept. 17, 1908, in Pinetop, to John Ralph Penrod and Sara Ann Butler. She was raised in Pinon (Vernon area), Lakeside and Pinetop. She married Louis P. Mettie on May 24, 1930, and was blessed with six children. After his passing July 4, 1941, she married Wallace Johnson and was blessed with one more daughter. She was married to Glen Willis on Oct. 15, 1955, until his death in 1968. She was a homemaker who loved life and shared it with her family and numerous friends. She is survived by her children, Celia (Charles) Parkinson, Janet Smelser, Joseph (Linda) Mettie and Louis Mettie, all of Lakeside, and Waldean (Charles) Gann of St. Johns; 33 grandchildren; 70 great-grandchildren; 72 great-great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-great-grandchildren; one great-great-great-great- grandchild; two brothers, Mazal and John (JB) Penrod; one sister, Hazel Earl, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; daughters Marie Duke and Jerri Penrod; two daughters-in-law, Faye and Val Mettie; one son-in-law, Floyd Penrod; three granddaughters; one grandson; sisters Isaphine Gardner, Lila Rhoton, Rose Sevey and Jean Thomas. Services will be held Monday, March 5, at 1 p.m. at the LDS Stake Center in Lakeside. Viewing will be held 12-12:30 p.m. Owens Mortuary is handling arrangements.