Raymond Willis Sr. of North began going to Mathews Branch NAACP meetings back in the mid-1970s, primarily to give his neighbor and relative Beatrice L. Bobo a ride.
“That’s how I got involved,” said Willis. But something else must have kept him coming back, as Willis stepped down last week after serving 36 years as its president.
“We always called her ‘Cousin B,’” Willis said of Bobo, who had been his predecessor as president of the local civil rights group. Willis strove to continue her legacy in the organization, and now it is Edith Turner’s turn to do the same.
Bobo saw Mathews through perhaps its most difficult time in terms of race relations in 1980, following the shooting death of Michael Johnson, a young Black man, at the hands of a Mathews deputy. Her calm presence, heading off a potentially violent crowd and organizing a peaceful march, helped to defuse an extremely tense situation.
Willis became Mathews NAACP president four years later, and while he has not faced a challenge such as that, he has guided the chapter as it continues to grow and evolve.
Under his tenure, the Mathews Branch initiated its own annual Freedom Fund dinner, bringing together county residents to hear from notable speakers and to raise money in support of the branch’s programs. This year that program had to be put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic; but the chapter hopes to revive this once it is safe to do so.
The chapter currently has 64 members, a roughly equal mix of African American and Caucasian members. Willis mentioned this diversity as a point of pride.
Willis also started a practice of being a part of the annual tour of Mathews County Public Schools, along with elected officials and others. And, under his leadership, the chapter also has held an annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration each January (rotated among various county churches) to honor the late civil rights leader and reflect on his legacy. Willis has represented the local branch at Virginia State NAACP Conventions.
Earlier this year, the Mathews Branch NAACP was instrumental in the successful campaign to drop the names of Lee and Jackson from the county’s elementary school. On behalf of the organization, Willis sent several letters to school board members and this newspaper urging the school name be changed. Working with the Virginia State NAACP, the chapter engaged civil rights attorneys to explore possible legal action, if it became necessary.
Despite vocal opposition, the Mathews County School Board voted to drop the Lee-Jackson name in August and is now considering new names to be voted on next month.
“It was something that needed to be done,” he said of the change.
Willis said that he has seen a change in the community, as county residents have shown a willingness to step out of their own circles and different organizations are also changing. “People want to intermingle more,” he said. He said that he is now a member of the Mathews Rotary Club. Willis is presently the club’s only African American member, “but I enjoy being there,” he said.
Willis presided over his last meeting as president on Nov. 16, as the chapter met virtually on the Zoom platform. At that meeting, among those wishing him well and thanking him for his service were Virginia State Conference NAACP President Robert Barnette, Middlesex Branch NAACP President Dawn Moore, Mathews County Board of Supervisors’ chair Amy Dubois and member Melissa Mason and Nancy Welch, superintendent of Mathews County Public Schools.
Willis plans to stay active with the local chapter, and he’s signed on to assist treasurer Gaylen Davis in the performance of her duties.
In addition to Turner and Davis, other officers elected on Nov. 16 include vice president Peggy Newsome (taking over for outgoing VP Terry Dixon) and secretary Sheila Crowley. Leslie Willis will continue to serve as the chapter’s chaplain, an appointed position.
Turner had served as NAACP secretary for about seven years. A resident of Cobbs Creek, she views her role as president to “continue the legacy that he’s [Willis] left,” keeping the chapter active and relevant, and keeping up membership. Turner and Christine Bridge currently serve as co-chairs of the Mathews Democratic Committee.
A native of North, Willis is the son of the late Freeman and Eva Willis. He is married to Arma Willis, his wife of 50 years; they have two children and two grandchildren. He is a 1968 graduate of Thomas Hunter High School, the last year before the integration of Mathews County Public Schools. He worked as a senior operator at Dominion Power (formerly Virginia Power) in Seaford for 36 years, retiring in 2005.
He was baptized at Emmaus Baptist Church in North at the age of 9. A lifelong member of that church, he is its treasurer and trustee. Emmaus Baptist celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2017.
Other civic work includes a 30-plus year membership on the board of directors of Hands Across Mathews, the local food bank. He was chairman of the board for six years and continues to volunteer in distributing food. He is also a member of the Mathews Democratic Committee.
Raymond Willis is a Past Master of the Silver Leaf Lodge #177 F&AM, a Past High Priest for Queen of Sheba/Malachi, a Past Eminent Commander to Mount Carmel Commandery #10, and a Past Commander-In-Chief for John W. Kirby. He is a member of Zem Temple and a 33rd degree Mason.
The Mathews Branch NAACP, which was established in 1944 under its first president Abraham Parrish, meets at 6 p.m. on the third Monday of the month. Meetings are currently held on Zoom.