Rebecca Mae Davis Willis

Rebecca Mae Davis Willis, 92, of Harkers Island, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.

A funeral service to honor Rebecca's life will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, March 1st at Smyrna Pentecostal Holiness Church, officiated by Rev. Bill Hooper. Interment will follow at Vergie Mae Cemetery on Harkers Island. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Rebecca was born at home on May 16, 1933, on Harkers Island, NC. She was the ninth of twelve children of the late Capt. Stacy W. and Sarah Lewis Davis.

She is survived by her daughter, Reba Yvette Baker and husband Robert Alan of Harkers Island; grandsons - Christopher Alan Baker and wife, Jessica of Louisburg, NC and Nicholas Landon Baker and wife, Bonnie of Straits, NC; great-grandsons – Luke Alan Baker, Bryce Henry Baker, Nathaniel “Nate” Leonard Baker, and Ryan Bradley Baker; sister - Leona Hall, brother - Leslie “Sonny” Davis and wife, Joyce; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Leland Willis; sisters - Hilda Willis, Ella Willis, Sarah Jarvis, and Dare Guthrie; brothers- Oliver Davis, Bertram Davis, Stacy Davis, Clark Davis and Jack Davis.

Rebecca was born and lived her life on Harkers Island. She was raised at the “east’ard” with a view of Cape Lookout Lighthouse and enjoyed playing with her siblings along the shore around her father’s fish house and charter boat business. She was part of the last class to graduate from Harkers Island High School in 1951. On January 18, 1953 she married Henry, forming a partnership that would last, until Henry’s passing in 2012, for 59 years. Six years later, on March 27, 1959, they welcomed their first and only child, a daughter, Yvette. In 1980, she welcomed her son-in-law, Alan, into the family and considered him a son.

In 1954, Rebecca started her journey serving the Lord. She soon became a member of the Harkers Island Pentecostal Holiness Church. In 1994, she became a charter member of the Smyrna Pentecostal Holiness Church. She was an active member throughout her life, serving decades as a Sunday School and Bible School teacher, a member of Women’s Ministries, and in her later years, a deaconess. More than anything, Rebecca was a prayer warrior for her family!

Throughout her life, Rebecca was a care giver. From the age of 13 to 20, along with Hilda, she cared for her sick mother and younger siblings. She devoted herself to being a loving mother to both Yvette and Alan. Being Nana to her grandsons, and their families was her greatest passion. Recently learning that she would soon have a great-granddaughter, Caroline Mae, brought her added joy. She was always tending to the family’s cats, dogs, strays, and even Henry’s geese. In her later years when she was unable to have a pet, she would always have her bird feeders filled, to enjoy watching them from her kitchen window.

Rebecca passionately fulfilled her role of a homemaker (and Henry’s boat mate, when needed.) She always made her home a welcoming place and one usually found her in the kitchen, cooking homemade rolls, cakes, or the season’s seafood. For her family one of the most comforting places to be was around Nana’s table. She was also an excellent seamstress and used her talent to bless her family and church. However, being outside was where Rebecca wanted to be – planting flowers, mowing (until age 83), or working in the water net fishing and clamming (until age 88).

Rebecca’s greatest joy in life was her family. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, and passionate Nana. Although small in stature, she left an enormous impact and Godly influence on those around her. She truly fulfilled the role of Proverbs 31 – a virtuous woman!

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

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