Vera Willhite (Willis) was born December 6, 1946, in Hot Springs, Arkansas, to Elijah "Buddy" Willis and Helena Howard (Willis) Vera departed this life on Wednesday, January 18th, 2023, peacefully at her residence in Champaign, IL. Vera attended Hot Springs High School.  Vera was a devoted stay-at-home mother and wife for 22 years. Vera later in life worked in retail sales. Vera enjoyed comedy movies, shopping, interior design, and spending time with a special friend (Tommy)

Vera confessed her hope in Christ at an early age in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Vera attended church services on a regular basis as a child with her aunt Willa Mae. Vera placed her membership at Fellowship Church in March of 2000 under the leadership of Pastor Stanley Rimpson Sr.

Vera moved to Illinois at the young age of 17 years old where she was married to Jimmy Willhite Sr. for 22 years, and to that union, eight children were born. Angela Michelle Willhite, Brenda Jemeise Willhite, Caren Helaine Willhite, Debra Lynnette Willhite, Elissa Annette Willhite, Kenneth James Willhite, Kimberly Jean Willhite, and James Willhite Jr. Vera is preceded in death by her grandmother LuVera Jackson (Gary, Indiana), grandfather Roosevelt Howard (Ogden, Arkansas), mother Helena Willis, Father Elijah "Buddy" Willis and brother Charles Willis, sister Charlene Watts (Willis), brother James Willis, all of Hot Springs, Arkansas and one great-grandchild Keegan Richard Jones. Vera leaves to Cherish her loving memory of six daughters Angela M. Hamilton (Christopher) Brenda J. Smith (Mitchell) Caren H. Rimpson (Stanley), Debra L. Willhite of Wisconsin, Elissa A. Willhite, Kimberly Lowe (Carlton) of Wisconsin, and two sons, Kenneth James Willhite (Ebony) and James Willhite Jr. both of Joliet Illinois.

Vera is also survived by one sister, Wanda Ann Howard of Hot Springs, Arkansas. She also leaves to mourn 21 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, as well as three nieces, three nephews, and a host of cousins.