Marie E. Willoughby

Marie Elaine Willoughby (Avila) passed away on December 14, 2025. She was born January 15, 1957 to the late John and Elizabeth Avila. Beloved mother of three daughters, wife and nurse of 38 years. Marie grew up in Olathe, Colorado, nestled in a little valley on the western slope of the beautiful Rocky Mountains. She spent her early days farming, fishing and camping. Her brothers and sisters playground were some of the steepest cliffs and oldest rocks in North America, the Black Canyon National Park.

She fondly remembered bike riding through town and spent summers cherry picking in Paonia. Early on she discovered her love of nursing. She graduated from nursing school as an LPN in 1980 and not long after she met her husband, John Willoughby. After marrying, they moved to Villa Rica Georgia, where her husband lived. There, they built a life together for the next 44 years.

It wasn’t long after she had arrived, she became a nurse at Tanner Medical Center, or as the older locals lovingly refer to as “the old Villa Rica hospital”. This was the start of her career where she developed lifelong friendships and memories that she would cherish throughout her life. All around her house was an abundance of nursing awards, keepsakes and notes from patients she always treasured.

A loving and caring mother to three daughters and a grandmother to two grandsons. Marie was the kind of woman who would do anything for anyone. She would give all she had without a thought for herself. Though she will be deeply missed, the love she gave will live on in the lives she touched.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Johnny Lee Avila, Donnie Avila, and Kenny Avila; and sister, Connie Avila.

She is survived by her loving husband, John Gary Willoughby; daughters and sons-in-law, Lisa and Thomas Ambrosia of Newnan, Rebekah and John Morgan of Villa Rica and Deana and Robert Kaiser of Villa Rica; brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Roberta Avila; two grandchildren, John Henry Morgan and Landon Morgan; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, December 18, 2025 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Jones-Wynn Funeral Home Villa Rica Chapel. Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, December 19, 2025 at 11:00 AM with Rev. David Bivins officiating. Interment will follow at Friendship Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, 1205 Friendship Church Rd., Douglasville, GA 30134.

The following will serve as pallbearers: Chuck Willoughby, Jr., Michael Willoughby, Jr., Cody Willoughby, Jamie Townsend, Clay Townsend and Grant Willoughby.

Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.jones-wynn.com Jones-Wynn Funeral Home Inc. and Cremation Services of Villa Rica is in charge of the arrangements. 770-459-3694