Rena Yvelle Judkins Willis

Rena Yvelle Judkins-Willis, 91, passed away December 28, 2023, in San Antonio, Texas.

A viewing will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 5, 2024, at Blaylock Funeral Home in San Saba, Texas, followed by an 11:00 a.m. graveside service at Neal Cemetery in Richland Springs, Texas.

Yvelle was born December 31, 1931, to Greer Mitilda Judkins and Horace Ellis Judkins, in Richland Springs, Texas. She was the youngest of nine children, four brothers and four sisters. She was an exceptionally caring mother to two sons James (Jimmy) Allen Willis Jr. and Michael Jay Willis. Yvelle graduated from San Saba Senior High and attended Business and Secretarial School in Forth Worth, Texas.

She worked for 20 years at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston, Texas. Her career lead her to work primarily with Adult and Pediatric Leukemia Research. Her care with children was especially notable, as many families bringing children to MD Anderson in those days were unable to stay at the hospital for months while their children were undergoing critical care. She became a Mother to many children whose disease at that time was almost always terminal. Yvelle retired from MD Anderson in 1991 and moved to San Antonio to be near her grandchildren, and became a major influence in their lives.

Her kind, devoted and loving spirit created a deep connection with her family. When she was with you, there was no doubt that your interest was her interest, that your successes were her successes and that your failures were her failures. She was always with you in the deepest parts of your life, ready to do anything necessary to help you live your life to the fullest. She was a wonderful Mother.

Yvelle is survived by her sons: Jimmy Willis and wife Hope, and Michael Willis and wife Lisa; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Yvelle was preceded in death by her parents, Horace Judkins and Greer Judkins; her four brothers: Bill Judkins, Jerry Judkins, James Judkins and Lonnie Judkins; as well as her four sisters: Flora Judkins Mitchell, Audrey Faye Judkins Peterson, Vondel Judkins Steger and Dora Wilna Judkins Pfau.