Willa Mae

Ligon

Willa Mae Ligon was born in Toledo, Ohio on February 11, 1936 to Massie Lee and Roudolph Sutton, Sr.. She attended Woodward High School in Toledo, Ohio and then Swanton High School in Swanton, Ohio. Willa Mae was the oldest of sixteen children.

Willa, affectionately known as "Mae", worked as a manager in the shoe department at Rink's Department Store, she worked at Sunshine Children's Home as an aid, and she worked as a Student Aid at Beverly Elementary School. Additionally, she obtained experience in Telemarketing, Childcare and Custodial Services. She had many talents. She knew how to sew and make clothes, she loved making crafts and she could crochet like none other! Mae had a green thumb and she cultivated many flourishing plants and flower gardens. It was always her dream to become a Florist. She handcrafted many ornaments and corsages over the years especially for events and special occasions. She was an excellent homemaker and cook. She loved to bake cakes and cookies for the holidays. She had amazing gifts of hospitality, creativity, nurturing, and she had a strong work ethic. She did not believe in being bored or lazy; according to her there was always something to take care of, improve or create.

Mae loved the Lord Jesus Christ as she accepted him at an early age. She, like her parents, was very involved in her church, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church where she served as lead usher for many years. She served as a member of the Missionary Board and Sunday School. She cooked and cleaned for the church when there were afternoon services. She always had snacks and treats for the children. Mae believed offering you Jesus and a peppermint can heal anyone's infirmity and singing a hymn can change any mood and lighten heavy burdens. She loved reading The Holy Bible, Sunday School lessons, Our Daily Bread and doing crossword puzzles. She believed in literacy and having a good education. She received continuing education and instruction from Dr. James H. Moses and the Union Baptist Seminary, Inc. where she received a Bachelor's of Religious Education.

Mae loved her late husband of over 60 years of marriage, Louis A. Ligon, their children: Kevin, her beloved son and first born, their daughters Edwina Louise, Amanda Lynn and bonus son Todd Foster. They loved and enjoyed all their grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mae loved to travel and she always made sure there were snacks, drinks and sandwiches for road trips. She and her husband loved to go on cruises. She asked people if they had Jesus no matter what part of the world they visited. She was not ashamed of God!

Mae was a leader. She had strong faith, resilience and she was notorious for her finger pointing with her opposite hand on her hip when she was really getting down to and meant business! She was tough, but she had the humility and compassion of Christ. She had a heart of gold with the class and adornment of a queen!

Willa Mae Ligon was preceded in death by her daughter, Edwina Louise Ligon; her parents, Massie Lee Sutton and Roudolph Sutton, Sr.; sister, Elizabeth Thames; brother, Rudolph Sutton, Jr.; sister, Barbara Stubbs; brother, James "Jimmy" Sutton; brother, Yusef "Joe" Sutton; sister, Georgetta "Rose" Sutton; brother, Johnny Sutton; sister, Beatrice Sutton.

Willa Mae is survived by her son, Kevin (Terry) Sutton; daughter, Amanda Lynn (Ligon) Herron; Todd Foster; siblings, Betty Hunt, Ruth Sutton, Lillian Sutton, Eugene Sutton, :eroy, Sutton, David Sutton, Claude Sutton; and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, cousins nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.