Mrs. Matilda Grace Willing

Matilda “Grace” Willing, 82, was reunited with her husband in the presence of the Lord Jesus on Wednesday, October 4, 2017 at MS Baptist Hospital in Jackson. Visitation will be Sunday, October 8th from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Chancellor Funeral Home in Florence and Monday, October 9th from 10:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. funeral service at Cleary Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Cleary Baptist Church Cemetery. Born in Poplar Creek, MS to Ezra and Pattie Applewhite, Sr., Mrs. Willing was a life-long resident of the Florence area. She survived many struggles in her early life such as losing her mom when she was only one year old and had several health issues, but she overcame them all. She lost her husband, Junior Willing in January of 2013 after being his trusted caregiver for many years and she lived the last 4 years of her life at Villa South. She served as Sunday School Superintendent for many years at Bethsaida Baptist Church and as a member of Cleary Baptist Church she was the Fellowship Committee Chairperson. She loved to cook and was a very loving wife and mother. Mrs. Willing is also preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, who raised her following the death of her mother, Jack and Net Applewhite. She is survived by her sons, Erich (Brenda) Willing of Florence and Chris (Amy) Willing of Hernando, MS; grandsons, Chase and Cooper Willing; and brother, John (Carol Jean) Applewhite of Florence.