Biography: Alta Lee Willis was born on April 18, 1940 in Sandy Point, Texas to
Fenish and Rosie Lee Willis. In her teenage years, Alta was raised by her
aunt Lizzie alongside her cousin/like a sister Hortense Mitchell. She
completed her education and graduated from Marshall High School. She
accepted Christ at a young age at Pilgrim Missionary Baptist church. In
1964, Alta had her one and only child a beautiful daughter named Joe
Ann Willis. Shortly thereafter, in 1965 she moved to Sacramento
California to begin a new life for the both of them. Alta worked at
AT&T for 20 years until her retirement and became a very active
member of the House of Restoration Power and Praise under the
leadership of pastor James Daggs. Upon returning to Texas she united
with the Pleasant Hill Church Of Deliverance Church in both Katy and
LaPorte. Alta was a devoted servant of the Lord and she held many
service positions faithfully. She met, fell in love, married and remained
married for 25 years to Fred Hodges. Fred faithfully cared for Alta with
the assistance of her daughter Joe Ann and her granddaughter Tanjie
until God called her home. Alta Lee’s greatest joys were her husband,
her family, spending time with her grandkids, gardening and giving to
others. She never hesitated to lend a helping hand to any and
everyone. On May 12, 2023, the Lord called Alta home. She is
preceded in death by her parents, Fenish and Rosie Lee Willis, her
sisters, Joe Ann Willis, and Willie Lee King-Thomas, her brothers,
Alfred Willis, Wendell Willis, Roy Chester Willis, and Donald Ray
Willis.
Alta Lee’s loving memories will continue to be cherished by her loving
and devoted husband Frederick Hodges, III, her daughter Joe Ann Willis
Alston, her grandchildren, Tanjie Alston, Altan Alston, and Richard
Alston, III; her great grandchildren, Anaya Alston, Isaiah Currie, Aniya
Alston, Anilah Alston, and Richard Alston, IV, her sister Ella Lee
Peterson, (Daniel), her brothers, Henry Mack Willis and Elvis Joe Willis,
her special friend/sister Helen Smalls; her sisters-in-laws, Vickie Stigall
(Roy), Vernice Hodges, Verna Hodges, Ava Willis, and a host of nieces,
nephews, cousins, friends, and church family.
Remembering Alta Lee