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Obituary for IDA ELIZABETH WILLS
Ida Elizabeth Wills was born on June 19, 1921. She was the daughter of the late Ada Morsell and Lloyd Rawlings. She quietly departed this life on Monday, June 16, 2014 at Calvert Memorial Hospital, Prince Frederick, MD; three days before her 93rd birthday. She was able to suffer without complaining, to be misunderstood without explaining, to endure without breaking, to give without receiving, to be forsaken without forsaking, to be ignored without grieving, to ask without demanding, to love despite misunderstanding, able to lean to the Lord for guidance, and to wait for his own rewarding.
Elizabeth (as she was affectionately known by family and friends) was educated in Calvert County. She attended Mt. Hope Elementary School in Sunderland, Maryland, and graduated from the 7th grade. She loved school and playing sports. In her senior years she could be seen playing ball with her grand and great-grandchildren.
On January 14, 1939, at the early age of 17, Elizabeth married Syrelius Wills, Sr. From this union eleven children (two died at young ages) were born. On June 10, 1989, Elizabeth and Syrelius, Sr. celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary.
Growing up, Elizabeth was a member of Mt. Hope United Methodist Church in Sunderland, Maryland. Later, she joined Wards Memorial United Methodist Church in Owings, Maryland. She was very active in church and faithfully participated in various capacities including the following: Choir Member, President of the Choir, Women Society Christian Service (formerly Ladies Aide), President of the United Methodist Women Society, Communion Steward, Member of Nurture Outreach of Wards Methodist Women, Member of Outreach Exercise, and Bible Study No. 1 and No. 2. A lover of "Family," Elizabeth would also go to church with her 9 children and see that they participated in children programs. She often expressed that she felt the most joy in her life when she saw her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren graduate from high school and further their life dreams and goals. She especially enjoyed her yearly birthday celebrations given by her family, attending the Senior Citizens Center in North Beach three days a week, Bible Study, reading, checkers, scrabble, exercising, travelling, cooking and baking.
Elizabeth's first job was babysitting for the Donavans in Chesapeake Beach, MD. Afterwards, she worked at Sea Breeze Restaurant (now Traders} in North Beach, Maryland. She left Sea Breeze and became a domestic worker in District Heights, Maryland. Later, she became a cafeteria worker for the Calvert County School Board of Education and retired after serving many meals to many children for many years. Her last and enjoyable part-time employment was as a Museum housekeeper with the Chesapeake Beach Railroad Museum. She retired from the Museum in June 2009.
Elizabeth will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Her memories will live forever in our hearts.
Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband, Syrelius, Sr. ; sons, Charles and Anthony; daughters, Myrna and Claudette; granddaughters, Tammy Brooks, Dana Wills, and Debbra Wills; great-granddaughter, Ashley Taylor; grandson in-law, Herman Lucas; sons-in-law, James Davis and George Roberts.
Elizabeth leaves to treasure her memories, her loving and devoted children; three sons, Syrelius, Jr. (Elizabeth), Isaac (Ellen), and Woodrow; four daughters, Barbara Williams, Helen Wills, Alice Davis and Faye Hinton; 32 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren, 13 great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Helen Mae Hurley; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins; and special friends: Amelia Stepney, Alberta Jones, Catherine Stewart, Carolyn Jenkins, Cozette Gray, Timothy Hinton and special nephew, John Henry Gray.
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