Billie Jacquelyn Freeman's Obituary
Billie Jacquelyn Freeman, 92 passed from this life on earth to an eternal life in Heaven on Friday October 8, 2021 at 12:08 PM. Billie was born on January 26, 1929 in Ben Franklin, Texas to Thelma and GN (Jack) Lay. She was the youngest of four sisters and that is how she grew up with the nickname of “Beebe”. The “BJs” as they were called, (Birdie Jane, Betty Jo, Bonnie Jean, and Billie Jack) grew up on a farm. Billie lived her dreams with her many dogs, cats, and even a pet pig. Her family was rooted in the First United Methodist Church of Ben Franklin growing up establishing a strong Christian faith and the many virtues that she held dear her entire life: truth, honor, devotion to family, kindness to everyone, and just an incredible caring nature that affected everyone she met.
Billie attended East Texas State College in Commerce where she and her sister Betty were roommates. She was a member of the Marpessa Social Club. While attending college she met the love of her life, Samuel Leroy Freeman. After a year of dating and dancing the jitterbug together at the local malt shop, the two were married on May 21, 1948. Billie and Leroy moved to Houston, Texas where they began their life together. Leroy worked for Mobil Oil as a land man in Titles and Records while Billie raised their two children, Monica and Jeff.
On May 9, 1965, Leroy suddenly passed away. With incredible strength in her faith in God, Billie raised their two children alone. She provided her children with an incredible childhood and gave them a strong Christian foundation for living fulfilling lives. Billie worked as a legal assistant for many years, finally retiring at the age of 75. She moved to The Reserve, an active senior living community where she made so many wonderful friends. Billie loved the music entertainment they had there. She danced to the music of Tony Macaroni, Marty Ruiz “The Voice”, played bingo and generally did whatever the heck she felt like doing in her retirement.
Billie is preceded in death by her husband Leroy Freeman, her parents Thelma and Jack Lay; sisters, Jane Cooper and Bonnie Irwin; nephews, Terry Cooper and Richard Lewis; and niece Vicki Fehr. She is survived by sister, Betty Lewis from Midlothian; her children, Monica and husband Allen Bishop from Denton; Jeff and wife Cindy Freeman from Beaumont; grandchildren, Chris Huerta from Fate, Shanan and husband Ramsey Koschak from Dallas, Grace and Reagan Freeman from Beaumont; her step- grandchildren, Shaun Bishop from San Angelo, Chad and wife Mary Bishop from Leander, Amy and husband Chris Cole from San Angelo, Jacqueline and husband Chang Hernandez from San Angelo and her great-granddaughters, Ashlyn Huerta and Merrill Koschak and step great-grandchildren, Kelsey and Ryan Bishop, Savannah Bishop, Bailey and Tristan Hernandez and Terra Cole.
Services for Billie will be on Friday, October 15th at Restland Cemetary located at 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75243. The family will gather for a private graveside service at 1:00pm. Immediately following there will be a “Celebration of Life” service for friends and family at 2:00pm at Restland Funeral Home in Memorial Chapel.
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