Eleanor Lawson Willis

Eleanor Lawson Willis

In the early morning hours of February 13, 2026, noted civic leader Eleanor Lawson Willis passed away, leaving a remarkable legacy of community service and leadership.

A native of Nashville, Eleanor was born September 15, 1936, to the late Helen and Harry Alfred Lawson, Jr. She was preceded in death by her brother, Harry Howse Lawson. She is survived by her three sons, Alfred Russell (Debbie), William Reese (Kasey), and Brent Lawson (Cathy) Willis; ten grandchildren — Claiborne Cline, Merritt Woods, Sydney Reid, Elizabeth Drake, Kendall Reese, John Lawson, William Graham, William Morgan, Caroline Carden, and Gage Lawson Willis; and two great-grandchildren, Bradley Stewart and Vivian Anderson Matthews.

A distinguished graduate of Vanderbilt University, Eleanor began her professional career in an unexpected but beloved role. From 1961 to 1964, she was “Ms. Eleanor,” host of the local Romper Room children’s television program on WSIX-TV, Channel 8. Her affection for children extended far beyond television.

She founded the Heads Up Child Development Center in Nashville and served as its Director for 17 years. The center provided early childhood education for low-income families, particularly children with developmental disabilities. Heads Up became the first federally funded childcare program in the Southeast and served as a regional model. After her departure, the organization merged with another nonprofit and continues its mission today.

During that same period, Eleanor partnered with W.R. Rochelle, former Principal of Cohn High School, to found the Rochelle Center, which serves moderately and severely disabled adults in day and workshop settings. She later served as Chair of the Rochelle Center Board for several years.

Eleanor also devoted time to public service and policy. In the late 1980s, she served as National Director of Volunteers for the Al Gore for President campaign. She later worked six years as Director of Development for the Vanderbilt Institute for Public Policy Studies. She then became Executive Director of the Friends of Warner Parks, leading the organization for 19 years until her retirement in 2013. Under her leadership, the group strengthened preservation efforts for Percy and Edwin Warner Parks, ensuring their vitality for future generations.

Following the devastating 1998 tornado that destroyed thousands of trees in East Nashville, Eleanor helped organize the Nashville Tree Foundation, which continues to expand and protect the city’s tree canopy. She also co-founded Cumberland Region Tomorrow, a 10-county regional planning organization reflecting her lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship and thoughtful growth.

Throughout her life, Eleanor received numerous honors recognizing her civic and humanitarian leadership. These included awards from Leadership Nashville, recognition as one of Nashville Magazine’s Seven Leading Ladies, and a mayoral proclamation declaring “Eleanor Willis Day” in Nashville. She served on the Metro Arts Commission, the Nashville Symphony Board, the W.O. Smith Nashville Community Music School Board, The Exchange Club, and the Metropolitan Nashville Educational Access Corporation.

At the time of her passing, Eleanor continued to serve on the boards of three organizations she helped found: the Rochelle Center, the Nashville Tree Foundation, and Cumberland Region Tomorrow.

She was a member of the prestigious YWCA Academy of Women of Achievement and attended First Presbyterian Church. Eleanor remained active in Leadership Nashville Alumni and supported numerous cultural institutions, including Cheekwood, the Nashville Ballet, the Opera Guild, the Frist Museum, and the Econ Club of Nashville.

Visitation with the family will be held March 21, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Cheek House on the campus of First Presbyterian Church, followed by a service celebrating her life. The family
extends sincere gratitude to the staff at Brookdale Green Hills and Alive Hospice for their compassionate care in her final years, and hours, of her life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Friends of Warner Parks, the Rochelle Center, the Nashville Tree Foundation, or Alive Hospice.

Arrangements in the care of Compassion Funeral & Cremation Services, Nashville, TN (615) 857-9955. We proudly remain locally owned and operated.