Edith Willis (1873 — 1943)
Edith Willis was born on 9 January 1873 in Farnham in Surrey, the daughter of James and Fanny, nee Pearce, Willis.
She was recorded with her parents James and Fanny and sisters Mary Ann aged 13, Elizabeth Kate aged 9 and Beatrice aged 3 in The Wash in Newbury in the 1881 census. James was recorded an agricultural labourer.

Edith was recorded at 63 Granville Road in Lewisham in the 1891 census, her occupation was a domestic servant.

Ten years later in the 1901 census Edith had returned to Newbury and was living as a servant at 7 Southampton Terrace in Newbury, her occupation was a general domestic servant. She was recorded at 2 Mount Villas, Newtown Road in Newbury in the 1911 census, her occupation was now a cook.

In the 1920 and 1921 electoral registers Edith was recorded at 6 Roseberry Cottages in Enborne, which was the old address of her parents. There was also an Emily Willis in the house.

A few years later in the 1929 to 1931 registers Edith was recorded at 135 Andover Road in Newbury along with an Alexander Mitchell.
When the national register was taken in September 1939 census Edith was living at Ravensbourne, Andover Road in Newbury and working as a cook. The head of the house was Alexander Mitchell, a retired bank manager, and his wife Edith was also living there along with a house maid. Alexander's father, also Alexander, was living at Dunnottar, Andover Road in Newbury when he died on 30 April 1932 so Edith was probably residing as a servant for his father from 1929 to 1931, his mother had died in 1920.

Edith died 18 April 1943 at 14 Battle Road in Newbury, the residence of her sister Elizabeth Caroline Willis.

She was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 22 April 1943.

Edith did not leave a will but administration of her estate was granted on 10 July 1943 at Oxford to Bessie Purton, wife of William George Purton. The value of the estate was £326 lls ld.

Edith's parents were both buried at Newtown Road Cemetery, her father James on 10 September 1913 and her mother Fanny on 12 January 1918. Her sister Elizabeth Caroline Willis was also buried at Newtown Road on 16 October 1951.

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