Ruthie Jean Willis was born May11, 1945, to the parents of Fred and Mary Pruitt. She was the third of six children. Jean was born and raised in Teague, Texas, She accepted Christ at an early age and became a member of Salem Baptist Church. After moving to Dallas, Texas she united with St. Matthews Missionary Baptist Church, and later joined Greater Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, where she served faithfully until she transitioned to Heaven.

As a young child, Ruthie Jean attended Teague schools and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1963. She also completed two years of College Studies.

On December 27, 1963, Ruthie Jean married Franklin Lee Willis. She remained a housewife until the early 1980s. At that time, she became a housekeeper and later worked at Centex Candy Shop in Mexia, Texas, where she retired.

Ruthie Jean passed away peacefully Wednesday, September 23, 2020. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Mary Lou Pruitt: father and mother -in-law, Garfield Sr. and Annie Willis, sister Lou Dell Williams, and brother, Randy Andrew Pruitt.

She leaves to cherish her memories her Husband: Frankie Lee Willis, Daughters: Angela Willis & Monica Sloan (Charles), Sister: Ruby Pearl (Lee), Brothers John Pruitt Sr., Don Pruitt Sr (Eula), Aunt Bessie Mosley, 6 grandchildren, 8 great- grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, close relatives and friends.