Willa Jean Douglas (Heater) journeyed to her heavenly home from Paducah, Kentucky on May 30, 2024, at the age of 92. She was born on September 10, 1931, in Paducah, Kentucky to the late Lynn Ulysses Heater and Ethel Irene (Tally) Heater. Willa Jean was preceded in death by her sibling, Golda Beatrice Heater, and her daughter, Willa Ann Douglas.
Willa Jean was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend who touched the lives of many. She was an active member of Mount Zion Baptist Church in West Paducah, Kentucky. In her earlier years she shared her talent for playing the piano and singing during church services for various churches in Livingston County.
In her professional life, Willa Jean worked as a Secretary/Bookkeeper at Heil Beauty Supply, as a Bookkeeper at a local Construction Company, and as the Owner/Manager of/Bookkeeper for the Docktor Pet Center at Kentucky Oaks Mall in Paducah, Kentucky. In addition to her professional life, she dedicated her life to being a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
In her leisure time, Willa Jean enjoyed her tropical fish aquariums, reading, gardening, solving puzzles, feeding the wild birds, and visiting yard sales with her daughters. She had a special affection for animals, both farm and domestic, especially her beloved dogs and cats.
Willa Jean is survived by her children, Sebrina Jean Douglas (Thomas Englert, Life Partner), Carla Douglas Simpson, and Carl Wayne (CW) Douglas, Jr. (Carla Grant, Life Partner). She is also survived by her grandsons: Thomas Wayne Simpson (Nan, wife), and Stephen Nathaniel Douglas (Autumn, wife), as well as her great-grandchildren: Lynara, Jaren, Chloe, Kylie, and Angie.
The family would like to sincerely thank Willa Jean’s caregivers at Parkview Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center of Paducah, Kentucky.
A funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah, with Bro. Larry Davidson officiating. Burial will follow at Smithland Cemetery in Smithland, Kentucky. A special presentation will be made by Willa Jean’s oldest grandson, Thomas Wayne Simpson. Special music will be presented by Willa Jean’s Son, C.W. Douglas, Jr.
Visitation will be held from 11:00 AM until the service hour of 1:00 PM at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah.
In addition to flowers, contributions may be made to Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 9701 Blandville Road, West Paducah, Kentucky, 42086.
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