Two recently-departed Georgians 'had a generational impact on many'

Two recent Atlanta-area passings haven’t garnered much attention, but these two locals had a generational impact on many.

“Marilyn was as much a part of the Institute as the Georgia Tech tower.”

“ A wonderfully intelligent and fascinating woman without whom a lot of Tech history would have been lost.”

“GT is better for her life.”

“Oh my, what a loss!”

A social media outpouring of love, admiration and respect for the late, 86-year-old Atlantan Marilyn Somers. 

In 28 years with the Georgia Tech Living History Program, she interviewed 1,192 alumni including astronauts, captains of industry, and former President Jimmy Carter. 

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In 28 years with the Georgia Tech Living History Program, Marilyn Somers interviewed 1,192 alumni including astronauts, captains of industry, and former President Jimmy Carter. 

Ms. Somers — with her Living History team — would give each interviewee’s family a transcript and a link to the video of the interview.

She told the GTAlumni: “What I didn’t realize at the very beginning is that to be able to say, 'here is your loved one’s story' is a great gift to give to the families.”

The GT Living History Program was established in 1994, when Ms. Somers — then director of communications for the Georgia Tech Alumni Association — received a call from a nursing home asking for a recording of the Ramblin’ Wreck fight song to play at the 100th birthday party of an alumnus.

“It’s difficult to put into words how much Marilyn has done for Georgia Tech history," said Dene Sheheane, president of the Georgia Tech Alumni Association. "She devoted her life to preserving the history of this institution and our people; and we are deeply grateful for her many contributions.”

Ms. Somers’ impressive knowledge of the Institute, her ability to recall name and facts, made her Georgia Tech’s de facto historian. 

To further commemorate her work preserving Georgia Tech’s history, the Marilyn Somers Living History Program Collection, 1994-2020 was unveiled in 2021. 

“No words can adequately describe how important she has been to Georgia Tech.” — JOHN BURSON, CHE 56, MS MET 63, PHD CHE 64

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Lamar Alton Willis was Minister of Music in Atlanta and Athens 66 years.

An Atlanta life that made a difference.

And, a very small obituary for a man who led an influential life in Georgia. 

Lamar Alton Willis was a man of faith.

While attending seminary, he met his life partner, Twila Fleming. They were married in 1957, and served together as Minister of Music and Organist in Atlanta and Athens for 66 years.

For decades, the Willises resided in West Atlanta, Beecher Hills Baptist Church, then on to Prince Avenue Baptist Church in Athens. 

The Rev. Willis and Mrs. Willis took Youth and Handbell Choirs on tour to 10 states over 50,000 miles.  

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Rev. Willis and Mrs. Willis took Youth and Handbell Choirs on tour to ten states over 50,000 miles.  

According to Robert Lee Mays, a retired local banking executive/Atlanta history expert: “The Willis-graded choir programs were known as being top-rated in the South.  He was part of that generation of Baptist Ministers of Music developing first-rate graded choir programs.”

The Rev. Willis was elected to be Music Director for the Atlanta Baptist Association. For 38 years, he sang with  the Sons of Jubal Men’s Choir, including mission tours to South America and Germany. 

That's 70 years that the Rev. Willis served churches in Georgia as the Minister of Music with his wife on the keyboard and organ. 

Together, they impacted thousands of young people, introducing music and lending structure to their lives. 

A very different era in American life.

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For seventy years, the Rev. Lamar Alton Willis served churches in Georgia as the Minister of Music with his wife Twila on the keyboard and organ.