Anita Delores Wills, 75, graced heaven's pearly gates on CHRISTmas Day, Sunday, December 25, 2022. Anita Delores was the middle child born on July 2, 1947 to the late Willia Green and Herbert Miller in Oxford, North Carolina. She was truly a gift from God and a blessing to all that knew her.

Anita, her big brother Herbert, Jr. and her baby sister, Kim, grew up in Hamden, Connecticut and attended Hamden Public Schools. At an early age, Anita heard the calling of God on her life, joining Dixwell Avenue Congregational United Church of Christ in New Haven, CT. Even as a young adult, Anita was active in her community, serving her church and even working to register voters in the New Haven-area.

After graduating from high school, Anita matriculated at Strayer College in the Washington, D.C.-area, where she would meet her college sweetheart, H. Reginald Wills, Jr, affectionately called "Reggie". Anita would often recall the fun times they shared in DC with friends and family, attending live concerts and shows, and enjoying the culture of the city.

Anita and Reggie married in April 1977 in East Orange, New Jersey. To this union, they were blessed with their two children: H. Reginald, III and Lauryn Renae. Anita was employed with Verizon (NJ Bell/ Bell Atlantic) for 29 years, serving as a customer service representative and consultant until her retirement in 2003. Anita also served as the union representative for Verizon's CWA Local 1000. She worked tirelessly to provide for her children, raising them in South Orange, NJ. Anita enrolled them in private swim teams, dancing school, summer camps, and supported any endeavor her children wished to pursue.

Always listening for God's calling, Anita entered into Christian Discipleship at Saint Matthew African Methodist Episcopal Church, in Orange, NJ, under the pastoral leadership of the Reverend Reginald T. Jackson (current Bishop and presiding prelate of the Sixth Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Church). During her discipleship, Anita was an active member of St. Matthew's, even serving as President of the St. Matthew AME Lay Organization, and involved in the No Ds and Bible Study ministries.

Never one to be idle, Anita began her second career as a business coordinator for Mountainside Hospital's Security Department in Montclair, NJ, where she worked for ten years. She enjoyed her friends and associates at Mountainside and truly brought a touch of class and professionalism to her team.

In 2015, after the birth of her first grandchild, Anita retired (for a second time) in order to take care of Asad. She was grateful to God to be able to help her daughter so she could return to work, and to bond with her grandbaby. While Anita thought she would get her grandson to call her "honey", he insisted on calling her "Sug", just like her children called her own mother. Anita and Asad spent the first years of his life together, as she would take him to "Books & Babies Time" at the South Orange Public Library, and to play dates with his godsister Aria Lia at The Little Gym in Caldwell, NJ.

In 2017, Anita was the first to relocate to Concord, NC. Eventually, her children, grandchildren, sister, Kim, and niece, April would follow her there. Upon relocation, and to no surprise, Anita would find ways to become active in the community. She joined and was baptized at First Missionary Baptist Church by Dr. Rev. Herb Rhedrick. Under Pastor Rhedrick's leadership, Anita would join the First Impressions Team (F.I.T.) Ministry, Senior Bible Study with Rev. Arline, and Operation Bread Basket, where she volunteered regularly to assist with food and clothing assistance for those in need. Anita also looked forward to attending Ms. Carla's Women's Group, where ladies met for tea parties, crafts, devotionals, and fellowship. Recently, Anita was elected to serve on the board of Oak Park HOA, her neighborhood homeowner's association, due to the recognition of her own home's beautification and being a helpful neighbor and advocate for the sub-division.

Anita enjoyed decorating, gardening, and traveling, and had especially loved her trips to Hawaii, Mexico, Barbados, Dominican Republic, Germany, Paris, France; and the cities of Asheville, NC, Savannah, GA, Hilton Head and Charleston, SC. But above all, Anita was the happiest when she was with her family! She loved her children, especially when her son, Reggie, grilled and cooked for her; and was exceptionally proud of the woman her daughter, Lauryn had become (just like her!) Anita loved doting on and hanging out with her best friend and baby sister, Kim, who was her fierce protector and confidante. She always looked forward to talking on the phone and visiting with her big brother, Herb, whom she admired greatly. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, Asad and Madison, saying how they melted her heart with each hug and each "Sug!"

Anita was predeceased by her parents: Herbert and Willia Miller; former husband: H. Reginald Wills, Jr.; sisters-in-law Pat Miller and Nettie Wills; brother-in-law: Carlos Wills; niece: C. Tracy Wills.

On Christmas Day, Anita left her earthly wings behind to be our own heavenly angel! Now, to cherish her memory and carry on her legacy are her beloved children: Reggie Wills of San Diego, CA and Lauryn Wills-Jackson of Concord, NC; son-in-law Tarik Jackson; grandchildren: Asad Reginald and Madison Riley; special siblings: Herbert Miller, Jr. of Austin, TX, and Kim Miller of Concord, NC; sister-in-law: Joy Miller of Austin, TX; aunts: Geraldine P. Clark and Viola P. Boone of Garysburg, NC; nephews: Marc Miller of Houston, TX, and Dez Clark of Charlotte, NC; nieces: April Miller, Daaiyah Clark, and Iyanah Bailey all of Charlotte, NC; godson: Greg Washington, Jr. of Maryland; goddaughter: Yulonda Coleman of Newark, NJ; and a host of other dear friends and family.

Anita touched so many lives and the spirit of the Lord radiated through her. We are blessed to have spent so much time with her here on Earth, and trust that we will see her again!

Visitation will be held, Saturday, December 31, 2022 from 11:00am until 11:45AM at Wayman AME Church, 7020 Wayman Church Rd, Enfield, NC 27823. The service will follow the visitation at 12:00pm at Wayman AME Church. Ms. Wills will be laid to rest at Pittman Family Cemetery in Enfield, NC 27823. The Repast will be hosted  at Wayman AME Church.

For those unable to attend, the service will be live streamed via Zoom. The information for the Zoom Meeting is published below.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82441902987?pwd=aWpNRmNSd1lIWXRadlFocUNyRnJxQT09

Meeting ID: 824 4190 2987

Passcode: 12345

Holland Funeral Service is serving the Wills Family.