ALLIGATOR, MS – Valentine’s Day, the blues world and Mississippi lost a great friend and tireless worker when Willette Romious passed away unexpectedly. Born a few miles south of Clarksdale in Alligator, Mississippi, Willette was introduced to blues at an early age in front of her parents’ grocery store when her father frequently hired blues musicians to play outside his store. In recent years, she had helped the town of Alligator gain a Blues Trail Marker to commemorate its place in Mississippi blues history.

Willette became a friend of the Blues Festival Guide several years ago, helping to distribute magazines, working with BFG staff at their tables at International Blues Competition and Blues Music Awards, and generally spreading the word about blues musicians and events in Mississippi. Though Blues and its history were special loves of Willette’s, the whole of her Delta homeland was dear to her. As such, she involved herself in panel discussions and symposiums, attended educational events, and served on boards and committees dedicated to the betterment of the region.

Willette was a strong and proud woman with an engaging smile, a great sense of humor, and an amazing ability to cut to the moment at hand. She was dedicated to family and friends and was a great friend of Blues and the Blues Delta. Her smile and enthusiasm will be greatly missed but always remembered.

written by Cheryl and Tom Yearnshaw

Goodbye our dear friend,

Cheryl, Tom, Kaati, Michele and all the BFG Staff