Eva Carol Willey

Eva Carol (Johnson) Willey, 81, of Cambridge, passed away peacefully on November 4, 2026, with her daughter and son-in-law by her side at Mallard Bay Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, following a lengthy battle with dementia.

Eva Carol was born on November 9, 1944, in Annapolis, Maryland, and was the daughter of the late Harlan G. Johnson and Katherine Conway Johnson.

Eva Carol graduated from Cambridge High School in 1962. Upon graduation, she attended the Cambridge Nursing Academy and became a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). She began her nursing career at the State Hospital in Cambridge, Maryland, where she also taught nursing. Eva Carol loved nursing; however, she loved being a mother even more. This led her to retire from nursing not long after the birth of her first child to pursue her true passion of being a stay-at-home mother and homemaker.

Eva Carol married Calvin L. "Kelly" Willey on August 31, 1963. Childhood sweethearts, they met on January 8, 1959, on Kelly's sixteenth birthday while ice skating at Pink's Pond. They were true soulmates and shared a deep love for one another, along with an unbreakable bond and friendship. Together, they lovingly raised three children and were instrumental and devoted in helping raise and care for their five grandsons. Eva Carol and Kelly shared forty-three years together and were married for thirty-eight years until his untimely passing on January 7, 2002.

Eva Carol loved her family endlessly and was the epitome of a wife, mother, grandmother, caregiver, and friend. She was an extremely selfless person, always putting others before herself and giving generously to anyone in need. Her home was always open to family near and far, friends, her children's friends, all of the West End neighborhood children, her grandsons' friends, and her neighbors. She graciously welcomed anyone and everyone.

She absolutely loved working in her yard and found immense happiness in planting her beautiful flowers each year. She enjoyed hosting large family holiday gatherings, decorating for every holiday—especially Christmas—and attending the West End neighborhood family picnics. She cherished sitting on her front porch for hours with family, friends, and neighbors, chatting and enjoying a glass of her homemade, old-fashioned sweet iced tea.

Eva Carol loved to cook, creating new recipes and preparing favorite generational family dishes. She also enjoyed solving crossword puzzles, reading, cross-stitching, crafting beautiful miniature artificial Christmas trees and wreaths, watching movies, hosting her bridge group at her home, and vacationing with her family for many years in Dewey Beach, Delaware; Rehoboth Beach, Delaware; Ocean City, Maryland; Orlando, Florida; and Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

Eva Carol is survived by her children, Harlan T. "Tod" Willey of Cambridge, Maryland, and Julia S. "Shay" Bauguess and her husband, Barry, of Cambridge, Maryland. She is also survived by her five grandsons: Garrett S. McWilliams of Cambridge, Maryland; Kellen R. Hurley of Secretary, Maryland; Tanner D. Collins of Easton, Maryland; Brandon T. Willey of Trappe, Maryland; and Hobie T. Willey of Galena, Maryland. In addition, she is survived by four great-grandchildren: Rastall R. "Ras" Hurley, Rexford R. "Rex" Hurley, Ruby Drew Hurley, and Parker E. Hurley.

In addition to her beloved parents, Eva Carol was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Calvin L. "Kelly" Willey; her beloved daughter, Kelly "Drew" Willey; her beloved in-laws, Calvin N. Willey and Virginia L. Willey (née Gordy); as well as numerous beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Eva Carol was a member of Christ Episcopal Church and the Cambridge Yacht Club for many years.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at Thomas Funeral Home with Pastor Jayson Bleyer officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Christ Episcopal Church Graveyard in Cambridge, Maryland.

Pallbearers will be Barry Bauguess, Garrett McWilliams, Christopher Hubbard, Devin Stanley, and B.J. Middleton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in loving memory of Eva Carol.