Ruby L. Stennis Willis-Williams

Ruby L. Stennis Willis-Williams

Portrait of Life

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die…

Ruby L. Stennis Willis-Williams peacefully went home to be with the Lord on Friday, November 1, 2024. Ruby was the fourth of five children and was born to the late Edgar and Hallie (Moore) Stennis on April 21, 1923, in the town of Shuqualak, (pronounced Suga’lock) Mississippi. When Ruby was a child, the family moved to East Saint Louis, Illinois where she attended Attucks Elementary and Lincoln High School. Ruby was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in East Saint Louis, Illinois and at an early age, she accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Savior. 

At 22 years of age, Ruby traveled to Joliet, Illinois to visit her aunt, Mamie Greer. While in Joliet, Ruby met and fell in love with Mac Willis, Sr. They married on June 15, 1945, and started their family. Ruby and Mac’s children were Robert Earl, Zandra Vidette, Rubenia Elisha, Mac Alba, Jr., and Terrill Orland.

Ruby's family was her life, she was a loving homemaker who was always involved in her children’s activities including church, school, and sports. The family would often go on memorable fishing trips to Wisconsin and surrounding areas of Joliet. Ruby enjoyed working in the yard tending to her garden, flowers, cherry trees, and pear trees. Children in the neighborhood were always welcome to enjoy her yard and the cherries. 

Ruby was the matriarch of her family. She embraced and loved her family, church, and the Joliet community. She had high values and standards, and Ruby protected everyone that she loved. She instilled faith in God, love, and a strong work ethic in her five children, fourteen grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren. She was a mentor to many and never gave up on you. Ruby guided her family, and her community of family and close friends with a spiritual and inspirational hand. She was an outspoken and forthright woman. Ruby was clothed in dignity, with a myriad of wonderful qualities including having a Loving and Caring Spirit, Elegance, Gracefulness, and Class all while simultaneously being a Quick-Witted and Feisty Leader. 

Ruby was an amazing woman of God. She would often say, “I’m blessed, God is good, and I’m a servant of the Lord.”  Ruby joined Second Baptist Church in 1945, and she was a faithful and devoted member. Her church was her heart, and Ruby was the oldest living member of Second Baptist Church. Ruby served the Lord at Second Baptist by serving on the Usher Board, being a Sunday School Nursery Teacher and serving on Group Three – Women’s Ministry. Ruby was also a participant in the Lebanon Baptist District Association of Joliet. 

Ruby was a Will County election judge for over fifty years, a precinct committeeperson, civil rights activist, and an advocate for the first Head Start program in Joliet. She started with Head Start as a bus driver and then became the parent coordinator. 

Ruby was an active member of Joliet Area Church Organized Body (JACOB) and later in her life, she took pride in being the Director of the Jolly Club for Seniors. Ruby was also the recipient of the Joliet Rotary Club Silver Eagle Award for being an advocate and mentor to women and “going beyond the call of duty” in her role of committed volunteer service.

Ruby was a boastful and proud charter member of the Joliet Chapter of the National Hook-Up of Black Women. She was the sergeant of arms and by 2013, she was instrumental in recruiting over one-third of the chapter’s members.

Ruby was a retired correctional officer at Stateville Correctional Center where she had the distinction of being the first female sergeant. Her primary assignment was overseeing the visiting room. Before and after each day, Ruby would say a prayer for those who remained behind.

Ruby was preceded in death by her parents, Hallie and Edgar Stennis, Sr.; husband, Mac Willis, Sr. and latter husband, Oscar Williams; sisters, Clara Richardson and Mary Saverson; brothers, Roosevelt Stennis, Sr. and Edgar Stennis, Jr.; aunt, Mamie Greer; nephews, George Richardson, and Michael Saverson.

Ruby’s  legacy lives on through her children: Robert Willis, Zandra (Fred) Mitchell-Hawkins, Rubenia Hubbard, Mac (Cynthia) Willis, Jr., and Terrill (April) Willis, Sr.; grandchildren: Kelli Willis-Buessing, Auriana Willis, Eric (Daleta) Mitchell, Rolonda Mitchell, Jason Mitchell, Vincent Willis, Xian Willis, Carla Willis, Veldie (Tonya) Hubbard, III, Ondre Clayton, Aaron Willis, Dominque Willis, Alise Willis, and Terrill (Janae) Willis, Jr.; great-grandchildren: Jonah Buessing, August Buessing, Armani Burgess, Jade Mitchell, Camryn Mitchell, Andrew Titus, Shomari Willis, Cameron Hollins, Caleb Willis, Veldie “BJ” Hubbard IV, Gerald Willis, Alayah Webb, Laila Willis, Naomi Willis, and Sarai Willis.

Ruby’s legacy also lives on through her nieces and nephews: Sylvia Saverson-Hill, Ester Saverson, Jr., Edgar Stennis, Jr., Sherry Stennis, Kimberly Emerson, Gladys Stennis, Roosevelt Stennis, Jr., and so many dear and loving relatives and friends. 

Although your light may have dimmed here, take comfort our Dear Mother in knowing you leave a beautiful legacy. Your time has come to be with the Lord – rest easy.

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