Lois Sasser Willetts Obituary
Lois Sasser Willetts passed away on January 15, 2026, surrounded by her family, in Harrisburg, North Carolina. Lois was born on March 22, 1931 in Columbus County to Retha Robbins Sasser and Willam Hoyt Sasser.
Lois was raised in the Pleasant Plains community and graduated from Whiteville High School. She attended business college in Raleigh, NC, where she met Adrian Larnell (Red) Willetts. They were married for 30 years before his death in 1980.
After Larnell’s service in the Navy and graduation from NC State, they lived briefly in Brunswick County before moving to Whiteville, where they raised a family, worked and were involved in the community. Lois remained in Whiteville until 2014, when she moved to Charlotte. After her children were older, Lois returned to college, graduating with honors from Southeastern Community College and Pembroke University. She worked for the Department of Aging in Columbus County as a social worker.
Lois enjoyed traveling with family and one of her fondest memories was a trip taken to Greece and Italy through Southeastern College. She also loved working in her yard and took great pride in maintaining her home. She was a long time member of First Baptist Church in Whiteville and served in many capacities at the church.
In addition to being predeceased by her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her brother, Calvin Sasser and her sister, Betty Mae Sasser. She was also predeceased by her grandsons, Zack and Colby Willetts, and her Grandson’s wife, Erin Roberts.
She is survived by her daughters Phyllis (AE) Long of Charlotte, NC, Susan (Rick) Roberts of Harrisburg, NC and son Stephen (Tracey) Willetts of Wilmington, NC. She is also survived by her grandchildren Meredith (Darryl) Glanton of Harrisburg, NC and Justin Roberts of Copperas Cove, Texas, and great-grandsons, Preston and Carson Glanton and Jack Roberts. She is also survived by her brothers Kenneth Sasser of Lumberton and Irvin (Betty) Sasser of Lake Waccamaw and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held on Saturday January 17, 2026 . There was a graveside service at 11:30 at the Whiteville Memorial Cemetery, followed by a service at 12:15 at McKenzie Mortuary. A reception will be held following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Columbus Baptist Association, 208 South Thompson Street, Whiteville, N. C.
