October 29, 2021, 82, Goldsboro –

Willie Frank Artis Sr., “Knot”, 82, passed away Friday, October 29, 2021 at Kitty Askins Hospice Center in Goldsboro.

Homegoing service will be held Saturday, November 6, 2021 at 11 a.m. at The Throne Room Church at Elm Grove Ministries Inc. in Pikeville.  The family will receive friends prior to the service from 10 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at the church.  Burial will follow at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery in Princeton.

Mr. Artis was born in Wayne County on January 11, 1939 to the late Johnnie and Pearlie Hagan Artis. He attended Wayne and Johnston County Schools and retired from Pepsi Bottling Co. after 24 years of service. He was a faithful member of The Throne Room Church at Elm Grove Ministries Inc. in Pikeville, NC where he served in many capacities including, but not limited to, Deacon, Leader in the male chorus, sung in the choir and any other place he was needed to serve.

He leaves to cherish his loving memories to: a loving and devoted wife, Mattie Horton Artis; four sons: Willie Maurice (Ruth) Artis of Atlanta, GA, Clifton (Gail) Harris of Winston Salem, NC, Willie Frank Artis Jr. of Winston Salem, NC, and Travone Graham of Atlanta, GA., three daughters: Veronica Gervin of Goldsboro, NC, Betty Jean “BJ” Freeman of Greensboro, NC, and Audrey Rene’e (Jeffrey) Lewis of Brown Summit, NC, brother, Ronnie Lee Artis of Goldsboro; sister, Ernestine (Thaddeus) Lewis of Goldsboro, NC; sister-in-law Tanya Artis of Eureka, NC, Carrie Horton of Pikeville, NC, and Verna Core of Dudley, NC, brother-in-law Ervin Peacock Sr. of Pikeville, NC, and Lawyer Horton of Dudley, NC., God-Daughter Lillie “Mae” Dickerson of Goldsboro, NC; fourteen grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.  

In addition to his parents, Mr. Artis was preceded in death by three brothers, Curtis Eugene Artis, Jimmy Artis and Johnny Artis Jr.; three sisters, Queen Simmons, Mary Peacock and Ramana Forbes; brothers-in-law, Fess Simmons, Bishop L. N. Forbes, Leroy Core and James Mozingo and sisters-in-law, Dolly Mozingo, Betty Artis and daughter-in-law Evelena Artis.

Professional services entrusted to Howell Funeral Home & Crematory in Goldsboro.