Obituary of Willa Popejoy

Willa Lenora Spooner Popejoy went to be with the Lord on July 25, 2020. She was born on June 3, 1929 in Pahokee, FL to Wallace Grant Spooner and Versie Nora Lambert Spooner. Raised in Immokalee, FL, Willa graduated early from Monte Verde Academy before returning to Immokalee where she met her husband of almost 63 years, Bernard Keith Popejoy. Willa was an adventurous and successful entrepreneur. She and Keith introduced the leather leaf fern industry to the country of Costa Rica. Having lived in Houston, Texas, New Orleans, Louisiana, and San Jose, Costa Rica, she retired to Weddington, North Carolina. She loved to travel and was blessed to see much of the world. She was intelligent, well-spoken and had an amazing singing voice. Her dedication to her Lord and Savior was evidenced in her faithful participation at FBC - Matthews. She gave generosity to many different Christian charities and she loved serving at Samaritan's Purse - Operation Christmas Child each year. On the title page of Willa's Bible, in lovely, fluid handwriting (quintessential of her era), she inscribed the following: "Grace – that which is needed and given, but not deserved. It is a gift – not a reward for work done. Eph. 2-9." Scripture tells us that, for believers, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Willa was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Keith as well as her two brothers Herman and Zackie. She is survived by her children, Kyle (Margarita), Kim (Nancy), Kody (Klare), Cherese Younts (David), and Melanie Frank (Charles) as well as many grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is also survived by her beloved sister in law, Holly Spooner, her cousin Grace Fincher as well as many nieces and nephews. Graveside service was held on Monday, August 3, 2020 at the Baptist Cemetery in Immokalee, Florida. Arrangements by Akin-Davis Funeral Home - LaBelle.