Dorothy “Nell” Pickens-Willis was born on May 25, 1956 in Dallas, Texas to parents, Dorothy M. Dickey and Raymond Pickens. Dorothy accepted Christ at an early age under the leadership of Pastor Hampton at Johnson Memorial. She later served under the leadership of Elder Leroy Johnson. Dorothy married her husband, Larry D. Willis, April 12, 1998 and she loved him dearly. They raised six beautiful children together.

Dorothy loved serving the Lord as a minister, prophetess, co-pastor and apostle. She was a great servant and ministered to every soul she encountered. She was a very caring and loving woman of God. For all that were fortunate enough to know her and were touched by her will truly miss her dearly. She left a beautiful legacy behind that will be carried out. In the mighty words of the Apostle, “Pray children pray, it’s praying time.”

Dorothy worked at Madisonville Nursing Home as a medication aide and also at Walmart as the manager of the shoe department. She then became co-owner of present, Larry’s Country Style BBQ.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her mother, Dorothy M. Dickey-Lewis; father, Raymond Pickens; brothers, Sam Childress, Sr., Eddie Dickey, Clarence Childress and Charles Childress.

Dorothy leaves behind to cherish her memory, her husband, Larry D. Willis; children, Nicolya, Sharon, Ruenette (Keifer), Destiny, Larry, Jr. (Reyna), Kendall and Larry Willis; sisters, Brenda (Curtis), Debra, Jackie (Leslie), Shirley and brothers, Danny (Pam) and Robert (Beverly). Also surviving are grandchildren, Ty’Kia (Tyrik), Anthony, Ra’Kia (Denzel), Myron, Shaliyah, Caderius, Doug’Kyrn, Reynaldo and Reyna and great-grandchildren, Ja’Zavian, Pebbles, Bam-Bam and Baby K, as well as a host of relatives and friends.

Homegoing services for Mrs. Willis were held 3 p.m., Sunday, February 28, 2021 at First Baptist Church, Madisonville, Texas. Elder Leroy Johnson gave the eulogy. Burial followed in West End Cemetery, Madisonville, Texas.

Pallbearers: Anthony “Big A” Anderson, Don Ford, Steve Robinson, Byron Johnson, JaCorey Gilbert, Isaiah Lotts

Honorary Pallbearers: Danny Childress, Anthony “Ant” Anderson, Lorenzo Johnson, Myron “MJ” Evans, Jerome Dickey, Caderius “CJ” Simpson, Sam Simpson, Roy Moffett, Jr., Charles Childress, Jr., Larry Childress, Cornelius J. Dickey, Sr., Doug’Kyrn “Fat Daddy” Johnson

Arrangements were entrusted to Madisonville Funeral Home, Madisonville, Texas.