Francena Willingham, Ph.D. passed away on June 18th in the home at 3417 Carver Street, Columbia.  Born on October 5, 1949, in Greenbriar, SC, she was the daughter of the late Frank Willingham, Jr. and Mary Mitchell Willingham.  She was an educator and administrator who taught mathematics in Richland County School Districts One and Two, the Jasper County School District and as a professor at both Benedict and Morris Colleges.  

Surviving family include her brother, Elliott Willingham, Sr. (Lydia) of Columbia, SC, her aunt, Gertrude Mitchell of Washington, DC, nephew Elliott Willingham, Jr. (Priscilla) of Charlotte, NC niece Renee Willingham Gibert (James) of West Lafayette, IN one grandnephew and two grandnieces along with a host of relatives and friends.

The Delta Omega Omega Service will occur at 5:45 p.m on Sunday, June 24 at the Union Baptist Church located at 1800 Germany Street, Columbia, SC  with visitation immediately following from 6 to 7 p.m. The family will be receiving visitors at the home of her brother at 513 Folkstone Road, Columbia.  Funeral services will be conducted on Monday, June 25 at 11 a.m. at Union Baptist Church with the Rev. Henry Edmonds officiating. Flowers may be delivered to the church on Monday morning. Interment will follow at Crescent Hill Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to W.J. Gist Mortuary of Woodruff, SC which will be assisting the family.