Willie Mae Roark

Willie Mae Roark, age 89, of Newark, DE, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, January 4, 2023.

Born in Virginia on August 21, 1933, she was the daughter of Claude Cox and Esther (Price) Cox.

Willie cherished spending time with her family more than anything. She spent countless hours talking to her grandchildren, loved seeing their photos and hearing about all of their activities. She was always up for a good, long telephone call or visit. She was a care taker and tried to help anyone she could. She was passionate about her favorite preacher, Dr. Stanley and would spend hours watching him. She loved her bible verses and angels. She loved to watch the birds outside her windows and end her days with a good Hallmark or Lifetime movie. She loved her home and spent almost 60 years in her community, raising her children and helping raise her grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and brothers, Eugene and Fred Cox, Willie was preceded in death by her children, Michael E. Wyatt and Deborah L. Belcher; and son-in-law, Robert R. Riley. She is survived by her children, Esther M. Honaker of Newark, Carolyn J. Riley of Millsboro, Sharon G. Elwood of Elkton, MD, and Wanda S. Cerroni (Pete) of Wilmington; son-in-law, Melvin Belcher; twenty-one grandchildren; and many great grandchildren.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 11 am until 12 pm on Thursday, January 12, 2023, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 North DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE, where a funeral service will begin at 12 pm. Interment will follow in Gracelawn Memorial Park, 2220 North DuPont Highway, New Castle, DE.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Willie’s memory to the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, Attn: Office of Development, 4000 Nexus Drive, Suite W3-300, Wilmington, DE 19803 or online by clicking here.