Willa Dean Propst, 79, of Jackson passed away Friday, Aug. 19, 2011, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

She was born July 5, 1932, at Arbor, Mo., to Cyrus Eugene and Flora Agnes Hitt White. She and Charles Edward Propst were married July 14, 1951, at Arbor General Baptist Church. They had been married 54 years when Charles passed away Nov. 12, 2005.

Willa Dean was a graduate of Delta High School and earned an associate of arts, bachelor of science in nursing, bachelor of science in education and master of administration degrees from Southeast Missouri State University. Her postgraduate education was obtained at Murray State University and Southern Illinois University, where she worked with special-needs children.

She worked as a registered nurse and educator more than 50 years, serving in clinical nursing at local hospitals. She initiated the nursing program for Scott City schools; was school nurse and taught biological science for Jackson R-2; and was employed 26 years in various educational programs for special-needs students in the Southern Illinois counties of Johnson, Alexander, Massac and Pulaski.

She was a 50-year member of New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson, serving on various committees, and was a member and past president of both the UMW and Wesleyan Circle. She also was active in the Southeast District of United Methodist Women, serving as spiritual growth coordinator.

She was a 60-year member and past worthy matron of OES Chapter 91 in Jackson, and a member of the John Guild Chapter of DAR.

Following retirement, she volunteered with the Southeast Missouri Area Agency on Aging, serving as a board member. Her other memberships include the Silver Haired Legislature and Advisory Council; and serving as an ombudsman and advocate for nursing home residents.

She was an active member of Jackson Senior Center where she served on both the center and foundation boards as well as the Site Council.

Other affiliations include the Missouri Teachers Association, Missouri Nurses Association, Illinois School Nurses Association, Illinois Retired Teachers Association, Alexander-Pulaski-Union Counties Retired Teachers Association, Jackson Federated Women's Thursday Literary Club, Cape Girardeau Area AARP, the Church Women United of Cape-Perry Counties and Cape County Christian Women's Organization.

Loving survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Phyllis Jean and Barry Sander of Jackson; a daughter-in-law, Frances Propst of Lake Charles, La.; four grandchildren, Dr. Melissa Sander Nesbit of Charlotte, N.C., Mason Sander of Jackson, Jessica Daughtery and Matthew Propst of Lake Charles, La.; and a great-grandchild, Cadence Rylee Nesbit of Charlotte.

Also surviving is a sister and brother-in-law, Laverne and Donald Nothdurft of Whitewater; a brother and sister-in-law, Douglas and Judy White of Tulsa, Okla.; and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Charles E. Propst Jr., who passed away Feb. 23, 2009; a sister, Wanda Lee Crites, who passed away in 1997; and a brother and sister, Cyrus White Jr. and Trucilla White, who both passed away in infancy.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jimmy Corbin officiating. Burial will be in Russell Heights Cemetery.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to New McKendree United Methodist Church or the Jackson Senior Center.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.