Tonia Willis

Tonia Willis, 60, of Aurora, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.

Tonia was born on December 6, 1965 in Washington, North Carolina, where she spent much of her early life before her family made their home in Aurora. The daughter of Brooks and Margaret Jane Moore, Tonia grew up surrounded by family and graduated from Aurora High School with the Class of 1984.

In 1996, Tonia married Tony Willis in a ceremony on the beach—a fitting place to begin their life together, because the beach would always be one of Tonia’s favorite places. It was her “happy place,” somewhere she could relax, enjoy the beauty around her, and simply be herself. This year, Tonia and Tony celebrated 30 years of marriage and a life built around love, family, and always being there for one another.

Tonia found joy in creating things, especially when she could share them with the people she loved. She enjoyed cooking and was known for “experimenting” in the kitchen. Asking her for a recipe usually didn’t get you very far, because Tonia rarely followed one herself. She simply added a little of this and a little of that until it tasted right. Somehow, it usually did.

That same creativity carried over into crafting. Tonia enjoyed making wreaths and decorations for the holidays and especially liked trips to the Accidental Artist, sometimes with family and sometimes with a friend. She simply enjoyed making something with her own hands. And while she might have admitted that she didn’t necessarily have the greenest thumb, she certainly loved flowers.

Tonia also had a tender spot for the creatures that wandered behind her home. Foxes, possums, deer, or whatever else happened to come along could usually find something waiting for them. She enjoyed watching and feeding the wildlife, finding pleasure in those simple moments close to home.

But more than anything Tonia made or enjoyed, she will be remembered for the way she cared for people.

Helping others seemed to come naturally to her. If someone needed something, Tonia was ready to lend a hand, usually with the same patience, understanding, and smile that characterized so much of her life. Nowhere was that more evident than in the care she gave her family. For the past three years, Tonia lived with her mother, helping care for her following a stroke. When her mother needed her, Tonia simply did what she had always done—she showed up.

Her grandchildren knew that kind of love especially well. To Christina and Jayden, she was “Mammaw,” and Mammaw could be counted on. Whether they needed a ride somewhere, someone to help with something, or simply a familiar face on the sidelines cheering them on, she was there.

Her children describe her simply as “the very best Mom they could’ve ever asked for.” Tony remembers his wife as honest, caring, reliable, and trustworthy—a woman who was almost always smiling and who was there for her family no matter what. She was kind, loving, patient, and caring, although those who knew her best would probably add—with a smile—that Tonia could be just a little feisty every now and then. That, too, was part of what made her Tonia.

In her younger years, Tonia worked for Aurora Gas Company before serving as secretary for attorney T.R. Thompson in Aurora. She later worked for local farmer Owen Peele. Eventually, however, life called her to a different kind of work when her mother needed full-time care. Tonia stepped away from her job and devoted herself to caring for the woman who had once cared for her—a fitting reflection of a life spent helping others.

Tonia leaves behind her husband of 30 years, Tony Willis; her children, Jennifer Swain (Chris Guthrie) and Austin “Turtle” Willis (Cassie Jones); her mother, Margaret Jane Scott; her sister, Angela Blakeley; her grandchildren, Christina Smith and Jayden Smith; along with extended family and friends who were blessed by her kindness and friendship. She is also survived by her "bestie" that she went on many trips with.

The family will gather to celebrate Tonia’s life with a graveside service at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 20, 2026 at the Bridgeton Cemetery with Pastor Owen Peele officiating.

Tonia’s life was not defined by grand gestures, but by countless everyday acts of love—the meal made without a recipe, the handmade decoration, the food left out for a wandering deer, the ride given to a grandchild, the cheering from the sidelines, and the years spent caring for her mother. She was someone her family could depend on, someone who showed up when she was needed, and someone whose love was most often expressed through what she did for others.

For Tony, her children, her grandchildren, and all those who loved her, those ordinary things will now become treasured memories.

And perhaps somewhere in those memories, Tonia will always be just as they knew her—smiling, helping somebody, making something with her hands, maybe adding a little more of something to a pot without measuring it, and reminding them that some of the greatest expressions of love are found simply in being there.

Bennett Funeral & Cremation Care is honored to serve the family and friends of Tonia Wills.