The world lost a beloved mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, cousin and friend, Lenette Geneva Willis-Williams on February 18, 2026.

Today we come before you with humble hearts to celebrate the life of your daughter Lenette Williams. We thank you for the beautiful gift she gave to this world and to our family. Thank you for the strength you placed inside of her- a quiet strength that carried her and us through life’s challenges. This strength has taught us to trust God through every season. We thank you that Lenette was a woman of grace and resilience. She loved deeply and stood firmly in her faith. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend vowing to protect those she loved. We are grateful for the memories she leaves behind, the laughter shared, the lessons taught, and the meals prepared with love.

Lenette Geneva Willis-Williams was born on November 6,1940 in Toxey, Alabama to Kelly and Lubertha Willis. Lenette was a graduate of Choctaw County Training School in Butler, Alabama. She accepted Christ at an early age and was a faithful member of the Springhill Baptist Church in Arrat, Alabama.

During the 1960’s, Lenette’s life journey had her relocate to Long Island, New York. For many years, she worked at Robert’s Cleaners as an experienced seamstress who specialized in making clothing comfortable and well-fitting for her costumers. Lenette’s love for family helped her make the decision to relocate to Cleveland, Ohio. in the mid-90s where she worked at National City Bank. She was a devoted member of the Zion Chapel Baptist Church on the east side of Cleveland, where she continued to lean on her faith in God.

Some of the families most treasured memories of Lenette was her undying love for God, cooking, and her love for fashion and music. Before hanging up the phone with you, she would sing her favorite song: I will always love you by Whitney Houston.

Lenette leaves cherished memories with her four children, Debra Willis of Cleveland, Ohio; Ralph (Jenny) Willis of Cleveland, Ohio; Jonel Echols of Bronx, New York; and Tanisha (Tri) of D’berville, MS. She was also foster mom to Azah Williams of Cleveland, Ohio, Austin Williams of Atlanta, GA, and Keith Williams of El Paso, Texas.

She is preceded in death by her parents Kelly and Lubertha Willis, her brothers Kelly Willis Jr., Willie Earl Willis, Robert Earl Willis, her sisters Albertha Willis-Williams, Louise Sharp, her grandson Theodore “Theo” Willis, and her niece Kimberly Marie Walker-Brown, and Roscoe Walker, a devoted brother-in-law.

Lenette cared deeply for her family and friends and leaves behind cherishing memories and loved ones. Her siblings: Marie Walker, Bertha Willis, and Franklin Willis. Her grandkids Malikah (Sharon) Willis, Ralph Willis Jr., Maurice Echols, Janae Willis, Vance Adams Jr., and a host of family members to include aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.