Willistine has spent much of her life learning and teaching.  She received her bachelor’s degree in Business Education from the U. of Arkansas in 1964, &  in 1966, began teaching for the St. Louis Public Schools.  It was initially very challenging but she excelled throughout her 39 years.  She became certified as a science teacher & later earned a master’s degree in Human Relations & Management from Webster U.  Willistine had always enjoyed writing but was too busy with family & work.   Luckily, in her late 70s, she found a poetry writing class, which she loves.  She  continues to be a very active great-grandmother & spends much of her time volunteering for her church, exercising & writing poetry. Two of her poems were published in 2022 in "Roots Rainbows & Truth: The North County Anthology” & have been posted on the St. Louis Country Library website for National Poetry Month.