Reatha Diana Willett

Reatha Diana “Nana” Willett Reatha Diana Willett has gone home to be with the Lord on April 18, 2015 after a mighty fight with cancer. Reatha commented that “It has been a Wonderful 88 years that the Lord has allowed her to have served Him”. She was born on August 5,1926 to Lyman and Bessie Yunker, next to the bottom of nine children in a farm house west of Assumption, IL. While attending Park College in Parkville, MO; Reatha met her future husband, Fred L. Willett, who was a Navy veteran and engineering major during her second year of study. After Fred graduated from Iowa State, they were married on September 1, 1949 in Bloomington, IL. The newlyweds established residence in St. Louis, MO where Fred began his career with Wagner Electric. St. Louis was their home for nearly 30 years. Both of their children, Dr. Kent Willett and Shari Lewis; were both born and raised in St. Louis. Reatha often proclaimed that it was by the fabulous grace and direction of God that she was able to be a stay-at-home mother that allowed her to be involved in all aspects of Kent’s and Shari’s activities and being “Nana” to her grandchildren. As Reatha would say, “Fred sometimes scolded me for never being able to say “NO” when asked to serve on a committee either for our public schools or at church, be it walking the streets to help pass a school tax bond issue or cooking for Whiz Kids, Mobile Wheels or church.” When most couples contemplate retirement, Reatha and Fred re-located to Oklahoma City, OK in 1978; where Fred accepted a position with Southwest Electric for the next 25 years. Reatha was so thankful that they found Bible Study Fellowship at Metropolitan Baptist Church. Her Metropolitan Family has held a special place in her heart for nearly 35 years where she was affectionately known as the “Hat Lady.” Her friends and caregivers at Spanish Cove Retirement Community also were dear to her heart. Reatha leaves behind her loving husband of 65 years Fred Willett, 2 children, son Kent Willett of Columbia, MO, and daughter Shari Lewis of Tulsa, OK, Brother Lowell Yunker and wife, Charlene of Denver, CO, grandchildren Brie (Willett) Chandler and her husband Michael, of San Diego, CA, Landon Willett and his wife Taryn of Denver, CO; Taylor Lewis, St. Louis, MO; Chandler Lewis, Tulsa, OK; Jackson Lewis, New York, NY and Josh Gates, Salt Lake City. Also special to Reatha were her son-in-law Tim Lewis and his wife Nancy of Broken Arrow, OK. No matter what, Reatha wanted all to know, that SHE was the one who received the most blessing from being surrounded by her children, grandchildren and all of who knew and loved her! Services will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, April 25, 2015, at Metropolitan Baptist Church, 7201 Britton RD in Oklahoma City. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be given to the Metropolitan Baptist Church Missionary Fund. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Reatha Diana Willett please visit our Sympathy Store.