Veronica Wynn Willis

Veronica was born in Orlando, Florida on April 26, 1958 to the late Mary C. Bridges and Wilbert Wynn. She was the oldest sibling. She was affectionately known as “Roni” by her family and close friends, Grandma Roni by her grandchildren and intimately known as “Ma” by her children. Veronica always exuded class, grace and integrity to everyone she encountered on her journey through life. Always giving, always mentoring and through confession, leading others to Christ. Veronica was an advocate for God, always confessing her love for Jesus Christ with boldness and conviction. She grew up in New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. She attended public schools in Orange County (Apopka, Florida), graduating from Apopka High School in 1976. Veronica achieved a lot of first accolades in her life. She was the first black female voted by her classmates to the Apopka High School Homecoming Court in 1976, captain of her high school cheerleading team, and was also voted most beautiful black female of her graduating class. After high school Veronica matriculated to the great Bethune Cookman College, now known as Bethune Cookman University, graduating in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. Veronica blazed a trail for the women in her family by being the first person in her family to attend and graduate from college. Several members in her family followed in her footsteps and also attended and graduated from Bethune Cookman College and Bethune Cookman University. Veronica was beautiful, smart and very popular amongst her friends. She was a visionary, had a great business mind. While she was in college in the late 1970s, before the smaller cell phones were invented, she asked a high school classmate of her sister Sandra to sketch a draft of a novel idea she had for a small flip cellphone. Not having the resources to pattern this design, someone else did and the rest is history. Another one of her aspirations was to open her own business. Veronica worked in various large companies throughout her life: Claims Adjuster at HBJ Corporation, Orlando, Florida; Intern at the Orlando Police Department; Customer Service Lead Supervisor at Lucent Technologies; Tour Guide Special Investigations Crime Unit with the F.B.I.; Administrative Clerk at Georgia State University; Fashion Fair Makeup Consultant at Macy’s Department Store; and domestic Engineer (aka housewife!). She was a valued team member, very dedicated to her work, and had many fond memories of her coworkers. Veronica loved flowers and plants. She truly had a green thumb and could grow just about anything. She loved football and was a diehard Bethune Cookman football fan. She embraced and loved her alma mater and wore the maroon and gold proudly. Veronica loved listening to great music. Some of her favorite Artists were Stevie Wonder (favorite song Place in the Sun), Lee Oskar (Before the Rain), and Eric Clapton (Tears in Heaven). Roni married Jerome Willis in 1981, and they later divorced. To their union, Sheria, Jerrica and Bryce were born. Roni lived in several cities throughout herlife: Apopka, Florida; Miami, Florida; Prince George County, Maryland; Reno, Nevada; Lubbock, Texas; and Atlanta, Georgia. Veronica moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 2008 and lived in Conyers, Georgia until she passed. Veronica loved her children, and especially loved her grandchildren, as well as her family and her friends. Veronica was loved and befriended by many. Her passing has come suddenly and unexpectedly and we know that many are grieving… she most definitely will be cherished, remembered and greatly missed. Veronica was preceded in death by her mother, Mary C. Bridges, brothers, Bruce Bridges and Dexter Bridges, and grandparents, John H. Bridges, Mary P. Bridges, Tevester and Lulu Wynn. Veronica leaves to cherish her memory: Children, Sheria Willis, Tuskegee, Alabama, Jerrica Willis, Jonesboro, Georgia, Kyle Bryce Willis (Jasmin), Forest Park, Georgia; Grandchildren, Persaeis Willis, Apopka, Florida, Chance Miller, Riverdale, Georgia, Braylon Willis, Roman Willis, Rydr Willis, Forest Park, Georgia, Nova Green, ShaDaniel Alonzo, Jonesboro, Georgia; Father, Wilbert Wynn (Sallie), Conyers, Georgia; Sisters, Sandra Brooks (Byron), Orlando, Florida, Nicolette Wynn, Cleveland, Ohio; Brothers, Willie Flowers Jr., Orlando, Florida, Spencer Bridges (Sara), Orlando, Florida, Greg Wynn (Dana), Rex, Georgia; Aunts, Josephine Smith (Ed), Apopka, Florida, Barbara Wynn, Stockbridge, Georgia, Elouise Dixon (Bobby), Savannah, Georgia, Sarah Sapp (Freddie), Queens, New York; Uncles, Nathaniel Bridges, Brooklyn, New York, Arnell Bridges (Bernice), Orlando, Florida; Great Aunts, Bernice Wynn (Ernest), Syracuse, NY., Sarah Bryant (Johnnie) Orlando, Florida; Close/Special Friends, Faye Woodson, Apopka, Florida, Jackie Cunningham Perry, Leesburg, Florida, Terryl Burke, Tampa, Florida, Lisa Bowman, Riverdale Georgia, Fadiylah Muhammad, Atlanta, Georgia; and a host of wonderful nieces, nephews, cousins and sorrowing friends.

Tributes

Veronica Wynn Willis

April 26, 1958 - September 9, 2023