Willie Jo Christian

Willie Jo Christian of Seymour passed away on Wednesday, July 2, 2025.

Services will be on Monday, July 7, 2025 at 2:30 p.m., at the First Methodist Church with Rev. Derrell Patterson officiating. Burial will be in the Riverview Cemetery under the direction of Archer Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 4:00 until 5:00 p.m., Sunday, July 6, 2025 at the funeral home.

Willie Jo was born on November 12, 1933 in Seymour to Monte and Sallie Ann Beckner Ellis. She was raised in the Lively community, just east of Seymour, along with her sister, Claudia and brothers, Clifford, Floyd and Johnny. She attended school in Lively then Seymour where she participated on the volleyball team and was a member of the National Honor Society. She married the love of her life, Morris J. Christian in 1953 in Wichita Falls, then moved to Seymour in 1956, where they farmed for over 35 years.

Willie Jo volunteered 27 years at the Seymour Outreach Mental Health facility, the Meals on Wheels program, taught computer classes at the Baylor County Library and dedicated many hours to the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches. She was also voted Coming Home Queen in 2015. She was preceded in death by her parents, Monte and Sallie Ellis; siblings and husband, Morris.

She enjoyed oil painting, photography and writing family stories and poetry. Some of her poems have been published. See one of our favorites below.

She is survived by her 3 daughters, Cynthia Lee Dormier and husband, Richard of Ovilla, TX, Judy Ann Pluto and husband, Mike of The Woodlands, TX and Brenda Ruth Miller and husband Royce of Seymour; 5 grandchildren, Jenny Jo Dormier Grizelle and husband, Joel of North Richland Hills, Jared Dormier of Ovilla, M’Randa Ruth Sandlin and husband, Dale of Forsyth, GA, Marla Renee Bibb and husband, Brian of Seymour and Zachary Royce Miller and wife, Sarah of Munday and 7 great grandchildren, Liam Grizzelle, Luke Grizelle, Jentry Bibb, Raegan Bibb, Owen Bibb, Emily Sandlin and Oliver Miller.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the First Methodist Church, Seymour, Tx, First Presbyterian Church, Seymour, Tx or a charity of your choice.

Dream My Friend

By Willie Jo Christian

July 9, 2002

Dream my friend of things to come,

Bask in the good things you have done.

Your history shows where you have been,

It is your teacher and your friend.

Hug today and welcome every task,

Keep today holy and live as if it is your last.

Let tomorrow arrive on its’ own.

It will come singing a new song.

Life is a gift from God above,

So freely given with grace and love.

Dream my friend and write a new melody.

Love and serve God through all eternity.