Avis McLamb Willis, 81, of Newport, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 28, 2026, at UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill, surrounded by her family.

Avis will be laid to rest at Gethsemane Memorial Park, services will be private.

Avis was born on September 17, 1944, in Johnston County, to the late Russell and Geraldine McLamb.

Avis was blessed to share 59 beautiful years with the love of her life, her husband, Malcom. They truly did life together, side by side, building a home, raising their family, and running their family business, Willis Landscape and Construction through the late 1990s. In retirement, they loved traveling together in their motorhome visiting Alaska and their favorite spot on Watauga Lake in Tennessee where they made many lifelong friends. Of all their travels, Avis especially looked forward to Thanksgiving trips to the mountains.

In her younger years, Avis loved cooking for her family, she enjoyed teaching Ava how to bake some of her favorite dishes and eventually handing over the cooking duties to her daughter Sharon who cooked dinner almost every night. Those who knew Avis knew that blue was her favorite color. She loved birds, with her favorites being a dove and an eagle. She also adored her beloved dog, Jasper, who was her faithful sidekick. Avis always enjoyed visits from her son Billy on holidays, special occasions, or just because.

Avis was blessed with a wonderful group of friends who gathered for breakfast every Sunday. Those simple mornings together, filled with friendship and conversation, were among the many things that brought her joy.

More than anything, Avis will be remembered for the love she had for her family and the many happy memories she created with each of them.

Those remaining to cherish her memory are her beloved husband, Malcom Willis; daughters, Ava Wills Lambert (Chuck) and Sharon Willis Phelps (Chuck), all of Newport, NC; son, William “Billy Ray” Willis of Jacksonville, NC; grandchildren, Meredith Phelps, Emily-Grace Phelps, Hannah Meads (Nick), Jonathan Henry (Lorah), Sarah Bird (John), Michael Willis (Berri), Christopher Willis (Hillery) and Malcom Ray Willis III (Kelli); and 16 precious great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Avis was preceded in death by her sons, Michael Glenn Willis and Malcom Dale Willis; and brothers, Ronald Mc Lamb and Wayne McLamb.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 4550 Montgomery Ave., Suite 1100, N Bethesda, MD 20814 or the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.