Willa Russell Jelks

Willa Russell Jelks of Macon passed away January 6, 2018. Services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, January 13, 2018 at Christ Episcopal Church, 582 Walnut Street, Macon, Georgia 31201 with Very Rev. David C. Probst and the Rev. Cynthia C. Knapp officiating. Family will greet guests at the church Great Hall after interment in the church's Memorial garden. Willa was born on April 5, 1936 in Brooksville, Florida, the daughter of the late Willis Mounger and Anne Davis Russell. She attended Hernando County High School in Brooksville and received a BSN from Emory University. Willa began her nursing career at Henrietta Egleston Hospital in Atlanta before moving to Macon and worked at the Macon Hospital, which later became the Medical Center of Central Georgia. She continued nursing there until 2003. Willa married Jordan Jelks on November 27, 1959. Her life was filled with their joint passions for family, church, volunteering, and travel. She reveled in the company and accomplishments of her children, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. As a member of Christ Church, she served on the Altar Guild, Good Grief Committee, sang in the choir, and volunteered in the church office. She also volunteered with Meals on Wheels, Macon Little Theater and the Grand Opera House. She loved travelling with Jordan and her family throughout the US, Europe, and Africa. Willa was an avid reader, card player and loved going out to lunch and dinner with her friends. Willa was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jordan O. Jelks, and her brother Willis Russell Jr. She is survived by her brother, Lawrence Russell; sons Jordan Jelks (Lisa) and Russell Jelks (Sherry); grandchildren Matthew and Connor Jelks; grandchildren Cheyanne, Jay, and Daniella Higgins; nieces Kim, Lynne, Andrea, Anne Russell, nephew Glen Russell; nieces Ellen Finkelstein and Adrian Jelks. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Christ Church Music Program, 582 Walnut Street, Macon, GA 31201, (www.christchurchmacon.com) or Camp Little Shot, 265 Sheraton Blvd., Macon, GA 31210 (www.camplittleshot.com). Register online at www.hartsmort.com Hart's Mortuary and Crematory, Cherry Street, has charge of arrangements.