Grace Willard

Graveside services for Naomi “Grace” Willard, 96, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 7, 2015 at Oak Lawn Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Ms. Willard died at 4:02 a.m., Monday, October 5, 2015 at West Vue Nursing Center.

She was born June 13, 1919, at Peace Valley, Missouri, to Amos Greene Willard and Josephine “Josie” Viola Cross Willard.  Grace attended school at Peace Valley, Missouri through the 11^th grade and graduated from West Plains High School with the Class of 1937.  She continued her education at Draughon’s Business School, Springfield, Missouri.  Grace was a secretary at Farmers Home Administration, West Plains from 1940-1955, was a claims clerk at the Social Security Administration in Springfield, Missouri from 1959-1966 and was a claims representative from 1966-1975 at Flat River, Missouri and Miami, Oklahoma.  Ms. Willard retired after thirty years of service with the Civil Service.  She enjoyed traveling and exploring.  Her philosophy for a happy, successful life:  Proverbs 3:5-6:  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.  Ms. Willard was a member of the Assemblies of God Church.

She is survived by many, many cousins and special friends.

Her parents, many aunts and uncles and numerous cousins, precede her in death.

Ms. Willard will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Tuesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions may be made to United Way and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.