Cherryville – Mrs. Melba Bridges Willis, 84, of 1631 Delview Rd. passed away on Thursday, March7, 2013 at Peak Resources in Cherryville.

Mrs. Willis was born in Rutherford County, NC on July27, 1928 a daughter of the late Marcus Bridges and Ola Mae Mode Bridges.  She was retired as co-owner of the Log Cabin Nursery in Cherryville, caring for children for over 35 years.  Mrs. Willis was a member of Mary’s Grove United Methodist Church where she was a certified Lay Speaker and was awarded the Keeper of the Flame award for her work.  She and her husband Ray also went on several mission trips with the church.

In addition to her parents Mrs. Willis was preceded in death by a son Stuart Willis and 15 siblings.

Survivors include her husband of 68 years Lee Ray Willis of the home; two sons, Ronnie Willis and wife Janice and Ray “Hill” Willis and wife Iryna; a daughter-in-law Angela D. Willis all of Cherryville; two sisters, Connie Warlick of Kings Mountain and Helen Neal of Cherryville; seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Visitation will be on Sunday, March 10, 2013 from 1:45 to 2:45PM at Mary’s Grove United Methodist Church.

Funeral Services will be held at 3:00PM Sunday March 10, 2013 at Mary’s Grove United Methodist Church with the Rev. Charlene Hutchins officiating.

Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Mary’s Grove United Methodist Church, 1223 Mary’s Grove Church Rd. Kings Mountain, NC 28086.

A guest register is available at www.stameyfuneralhome.com

Stamey-Cherryville Funeral Home is serving the family of Mrs. Willis.