Willa M. Strader (Bolivar)'s Obituary
Willa Marie Carter was born November 13, 1930 to Edwin Cromwell ”Crom” Carter and Bessie Frances Nasalroad Erven Carter. Willa joined a large family of 8 half-brothers and sisters when the flu epidemic took her parent’s first spouses and a baby. Willa was the eldest of Crom and Bessie’s children, with her brothers Monford and Vernon following.
Willa met her husband, Paul Thomas Strader, in October 1947 and they were married on March 19, 1948. They were blessed to have 3 sons, Jimmy Dale, Donny Lewis, and Paul Brent. At the time of Paul’s death they had been married 58 years.
Willa was saved when she was 12 years old at Goodson Missionary Baptist Church in a day meeting. Willa joined Goodson and was baptized at Panther Creek. Shortly after being saved and baptized, she moved her membership to Lindley Creek Missionary Baptist Church with her family. After marrying Paul, she joined Campbell Grove Missionary Baptist Church. Later she moved to Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, and then moved her membership to Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church at the time of her death. She loved God and wanted her family and friends to know the salvation that was so dear to her. She was a faithful church member, attending services until her health prevented her.
Willa was a licensed beautician and worked from her home beauty shop for 38 years. She loved cooking and baking for her family, church gatherings, friends, and neighbors. She began sewing at the age 10 and she made clothes for her husband, children, grandchildren, and herself. She loved to embroider, crochet, and knit as well.
Preceding Willa in death were her husband, Paul, their parents, a daughter-in-law, Eugennia Adell Williams Strader, a 2 year old half-sister, Jewell Ervin, her two brothers, (Monford and Vernon Carter) and all of her half-siblings: Adrian Carter, Mildred Carter Ellsworth, Edwin Carter, Lovell Neil Carter, Orel Erven, Mildred Erven Fittro, Edwin Erven, and Wanda Erven Stuckey.
Willa leaves to mourn her passing, her sons: Jimmy and wife Sarah of Bolivar, MO; Donny and wife, Camy, of Carrollton, TX; and Brent of Bolivar, MO; Grandchildren Jeffrey Strader of Lewisville, TX, Joani Coble and husband Trent of Dunnegan, MO; Megan Friddle and husband Rodney of Murphy, TX, and Kyle Strader of Carrollton, TX; Great Grandchildren: Memphis Coble, Eian Coble, and Karissa Coble Locke and husband Ethan; Ashlyn and Taylyn Friddle, one sister-in-law, Nelda Carter of Springfield, and several nieces and nephews; 4 step-grandchildren; Rachel and Aaron York, Glorya and Andy McQuitty, Andrew and Ashley Hicks, and Jeremiah and Kendra Hicks, and 16 bonus great grandchildren. and a host of friends.
Services for Willa will be held Tuesday, April 2, 2024 starting at 11:00 AM at the Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar. Visitation will be held Monday evening, April 1, 2024, from 5:00 until 7:00 PM. Memorial contributions can be made to either the Pleasant Hill Cemetery or to the Alzheimer's Association.
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