Mary Denton Willis

Mrs. Mary Denton Willis of Franklin, KY passed away peacefully on March 10, 2026, while surrounded by loved ones.

Mary was born on November 17, 1931, in Simpson County to Samuel “Sam” Grainger and Zenobia “Nobie” Johnson Grainger. She grew up on the family farm in the Neosho area with her two older sisters. Nearby Sulphur Spring Baptist Church played an important role in her childhood.

She met her husband T.C. Willis while she was working in the drugstore which they later came to own and run together, Shugart & Willis. While working full-time at the drugstore, Mary was still a devoted and attentive mother and wife. In retirement, Mary and T.C. enjoyed traveling on bus trips across the U.S. with friends, wintering in Okeechobee, FL, and playing Rook and dominoes with friends. A long-time member of First Baptist Church, Mary enjoyed singing with the Senior Reflections Choir. However, Mary’s favorite activity was just being Granny -- spending time with her grandchildren and then great-grandchildren.

Mary was known for her Southern cooking; her miniature chocolate meringue pies were prized at bake sales. If you grew up in Simpson County, she could probably tell you your family tree going back three generations, and she knew where all your ancestors were buried. Before the internet, she could learn any news that happened in the Franklin area instantaneously, even when she was in Florida. In later years, weakness and chronic pain limited her mobility, but did not dampen her spirit. Her caregivers often remarked on her easy-going nature and good humor.

She is survived by her children, Van Willis (Kathy), Clint Willis (Amy), and Mina Willis; her grandchildren, Sam Willis, Jessica Ellzey (Antonio), Adaline Smith (Keaton), Mary Grace Willis (Joey), Miranda Bain (Nathan), and Zach Willis; her great-grandchildren, Norah Gray, Annie, CJ, Hattie, Declan, and Baby Ellzey; her nieces and nephew, Beth Dunn, Ron Dunn, Fran Meador and Marla Link; many great nieces and nephews, and special caregivers who became like family themselves, Debbie Barnett Link, Pam Anderson Gray, Tonya Hall, and Charlotte Anderson.

She is preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her sisters, Louise Meador and Elizabeth “Libby” Dunn; her sister-in-law, Floy Groves; her niece, Connie Eubanks; her nephews, Kent Groves and Marty Meador.

Mary and T.C. celebrated 63 years of marriage together before T.C. passed away in 2022, and she had been waiting to be reunited with him since that time. Though we mourn her loss, we know that the Savior welcomed her home with joy. She is free of pain and infirmity. And she is reunited with her husband, her sisters, and so many other loved ones to dwell in the presence of God for eternity.

Visitation will be held on Monday March 16, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Funeral Services will be held the same day March 16, 2026 at 2:00 PM with burial to follow in Greenlawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary’s memory may be made to John Meguiar Cemetery, c/o Chris Kummer, 1875 Kummer Rd. Franklin, KY 42134 or to First Baptist Church, 303 East Cedar St. Franklin, KY 42134.

Arrangements are entrusted to Gilbert Funeral Home & Crematory. For more information, please visit their website at www.gilbertfhonline.com, or call their obituary phone line at 270-586-8844.