Hattie Ray Burns Willis was born November 18, 1928, to the late Henry Burns and Octavia Givens Burns in Alexandria, Louisiana. Hattie attended Rapids Parish schools, graduating from Peabody High School. Shortly after graduation, she moved to Houston, Texas.

Hattie loved fashion and worked for several years at The Smart Shoppe, a high-end Houston department store, before continuing her education at Houston Business School. From there, she enjoyed a 30-year career in the Houston Independent School District.

In 1960 she married William "Bill" Willis. Hattie honored her vows with love and dedication until his passing in 2002. No children were born to the union; however, she nurtured and mentored children and adults alike throughout her life. She was especially dedicated to serving the "old people" through church ministries (despite often being older than the people she served). She was very thoughtful about reaching out to friends and family through cards for birthdays and holidays or just a call to say, "thinking of you."

Hattie was a faithful member of Blueridge United Methodist Church for over 60 years.  She was a very active member, always ready to go the extra mile in ministries including the Finance Committee, Mission, Wednesday Morning Women's Bible Study, Greeters, Methodist Women's Organization and the Tree of Life.

Hattie was in her ninth decade when she died peacefully at home at 10:20 p.m. Saturday, July 12, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. She was 96. She loved to recall how she didn't have to take any prescribed medicine until she reached the age of 89. After Bill's death, she lived independently until age 94 and drove until she was 92.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory her "chosen" daughter and great-niece, Krystal Ford (Eric); "her girls" and great-great-nieces Erin, Ella, and Eden; a stepdaughter, Melvina Daniels (Rev. Richard Daniels); eight step-grandchildren, Glenda Lewis, Carol Daniels, Darrell Willis, Rhonda Daniels, Cheryl Walker, Rev. Robert Daniels, Rev. Gerald Daniels, and Raymond Willis; three nieces, Kathy Mathews (Freddy), Gloria Green (Michael), and Katrina Taylor; two nephews, Michael Washington (Ina) and Jeffery Washington (Valerie); a nephew-in-law, Roger Phillips; great-nieces Alyssa Washington and Jasmine Washington; five great-nephews, Christopher Washington (Kathy), Jeffery Mathews, Marcus Washington (Bianca), Richard Mathews (Destinee), and Jordan Lewis Green; two great-great-nephews; a special cousin, Micheal Benjamin (Dawn); and a host of family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband William Willis; five sisters, Gloria Washington (James), Henry Mines (Walter), Bridgette Burns, Kathryn Payton (Clarence), and Alfreda Graham (Bryson); a brother, Lawrence Burns; niece Diedre Phillips; stepdaughter Patricia Willis; stepson Hiney Willis; and step-grandson Edward Daniels.

The memory of her determined will, coupled with a kind and generous spirit, will live on in the hearts of all those who loved her.