ELIZABETH CITY, N.C.—Ellen Louise (Poppy) Willis Chesson, 86, widow of Roy O. Chesson, died August 15, 2010 at Albemarle Regional Hospital.

Born in Nash County, NC, she was the youngest child of the late Rev. Elijah Glover Willis and Roberta Ellen Styron Willis. With extended family in Davis, NC, her father’s work as a Baptist minister moved the family to various locations throughout North Carolina but it was Momeyer, NC where she most fondly recalled her youth. She settled in Elizabeth City in 1942 while her father and brother were away at war, and it was there that she later met her future husband. During the early years of their marriage she was involved with the Jr. Women’s Club, various bridge clubs, and the First Baptist Church in Elizabeth City where she taught Sunday School and helped with VBS. After raising her family, Mrs. Chesson was later employed by the Pasquotank-Camden/East Albemarle Regional Library from which she retired with over 20 years of service. A devoted wife and mother, Mrs. Chesson will also be remembered as an avid reader who found joy in tutoring children at the elementary school in order to share her love of reading. She was a woman who always wanted to know more about the world around her while still taking great pride in her home and the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren.

Mrs. Chesson was preceded in death by her beloved husband of over 60 years, Roy Otis Chesson, and a brother, Elijah Glover Willis, Jr., who was killed during service in World War II. Left to cherish her memory are two daughters, Alice Roberta (Robin) Chesson of the home; Ellen Chesson Edens and husband, Mark, of Dalzell, SC; a son, LCDR (Ret.) Roy Willis Chesson and wife, Erika, of Zuni, VA; four grandchildren, LT Roy David Chesson and wife, Tiffany, Anna Chesson Edens Hurst and husband, Garrett, Elizabeth Ellen Edens, and Mark Spears Edens Jr.; and one great-grandchild, Jaelynn Rose Chesson; her sister, Selma Willis Stallings, and a niece, Barbara Stallings Whitley, both of Washington, NC.

Services were held Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at Twiford’s Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Dr. Mason Smith officiating. The family received friends at the funeral home prior to and immediately following the service, and at other times at the home. Memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church, P.O. Drawer 402, Elizabeth City, NC 27907-0402 or the Pasquotank-Camden Library, Attn: Irene Ward, 100 East Colonial Avenue, Elizabeth City, NC 27909. Twiford Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 405 East Church St., Elizabeth City, assisted the Chesson family. You may express condolences to the family by visiting www.twifordfh.com.