The Lord called Sis. Thessalonia Willie to her new home on Thursday, February 27,2025.

Funeral services will be held Friday, March 7, 2025, at 2:00 pm at Sherman Chapel A.M.E. Church with her son, Rev. Darrell Willie officiating. Burial will follow at Eastview Cemetery under the direction of Sullivan Funeral Home.

Sis. Thessalonia Favors Willie was the oldest of seven children born to A.D. "Preacher" Favors and Bertha Favors. Her father; mother; and all of her siblings preceded her in death. She was the oldest of one sister and five brothers.

Thessalonia was born January 26, 1927, in Naples, Texas. She moved to Vernon, Texas at the age of 11 years old with her parents and brothers. At the time her one and only sister, Vera Mae Favors had not been born yet.

In 1947 Thessalonia Favors was united in Holy Matrimony to Claude "Boots" Willie in Wilbarger County on December 1, 1947. They were married from 1947 to 1982 due to her husband's untimely death. Claude and Thessalonia had seven children, six boys, Claude Willie, Jr.; Gearld Ray Willie (Austin, Texas); James Eric Willie (Vernon, Texas); Philip Noel Willie (Arlington, Texas); Lesley Lee Willie (Vernon, Texas); and Darrell Glenn Willie (Vernon, Texas). They had one girl, Deborah Kay Willie (Vernon, Texas). All are still living except the oldest son, Claude Willie, Jr., who died in 1996. Thessalonia has five generations in the family tree including numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Thessalonia attended Booker T. Washington Elementary School and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School with honors. She attended Midwestern State University, where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree and was on the "Dean's List". She was also an AKA Sorority Sister. After receiving her degree, Thessalonia became the first Black RN in Wilbarger County. She was very instrumental in encouraging other young Black women to pursue an RN License after receiving hers. She held a lot of "First" in the North Vernon Community. She was the first Black to work in the retail industry in Downtown Vernon; she was the first Black on the Rolling Plains Board; she was the first Black on USSV Board; she was the initiator of the Board for the streets to be paved in North Vernon; and she was also a great advocate for equality and justice for the young Black men on the North side of Vernon.

Thessalonia was a devout Christian. She grew up in the Pentecostal Church in her younger years. Her Father was a Pentecostal Preacher. Thessalonia grew up in a disciplined, but very loving environment. She became a member of the Black Methodist Church after her marriage. Thessalonia was an African Methodist Episcopal Church member for at least 70 years. Her Church home was Sherman Chapel A.M.E. Church, Vernon, Texas. She held several positions in the Church on the local and District level. Thessalonia was appointed as the Delegate to the General Conference; she was appointed as the Northwest Texas District Steward, as well as the Steward in her local Church.

Thessalonia loved the Lord; she loved her Church; and she loved her family, always giving them sound spiritual advice. One of her favorite sayings was, "Get ready; stay ready; so you can be ready when Jesus comes."

Visitation will be Thursday, March 6, 2025, from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Sullivan Funeral Home.