June 28, 1928 – October 31, 2012
Billie Jean Calhoun, 84, passed away on Wednesday, October 31st, 2012, in Midland, Texas after a lengthy illness.
She was born in Cross Plains, TX on June 28, 1928 and lived there and in Midland, Texas most of her life. After the death of her husband in 1986, she lived periodically with her three children in Hamilton, Midland and Fort Worth.
Billie worked in a variety of jobs during her life, including owning a floral shop in Cross Plains, Texas for several years and being a bookkeeper for several businesses over the years in both Cross Plains and Midland. In her sixties, she decided she needed to supplement her income, and thus, earned her real estate license. As a result, she worked in Midland for several years as a real estate agent. “Passing that test was one of the hardest things I ever did,” she would say.
She was most proud of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and lately, great-great-grandchildren. Throughout her lifetime she crocheted scores of blankets, afghans, scarves, etc. and provided each of her grandchildren with one “to remember me by,” as she would always say. She also never forgot a single birthday of any family member, although in her later years, the birthday card might be received during any month of the year. In spite of her fixed income, she always managed to put a few dollars in every one of them. Even though she had lost one eye several years ago and was barely able to see out of her remaining eye, she continued to crochet up until her death, making the stitches only by the feel of the needle and the yarn.
In addition, Billie had an amazing love for animals. She always had at least one dog and no animal was ever treated more royally nor loved more.
When in Hamilton she was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church where she enjoyed attending the Ruth Sunday School class. She also loved attending the activities at the Special Care Center in Hamilton and meeting new friends there.
She was also a huge fan of older movies, and when anyone in the family had a question about an actor or actress from the movies of yesteryear, Billie was the one to ask. Her memory of such things was astounding.
She was preceded in death by her parents, as well as her husband, Russell Calhoun, after 43 years of marriage, and by an infant son, Charles Jay.
Billie is survived by her daughter, Karen Jordan and her husband Riney of Hamilton; a son, Brad Calhoun and his wife Sandra of Midland; a daughter Sue Williamson of Bedford; ten grandchildren, including Le’Ann Downs of Mansfield, Todd Jordan of Hamilton, Sarah Newburn of Fort Worth, Jennifer Phillips and Kevin Calhoun of Midland, Wendy Bejarano of Houston, Imber Covington of Lake Brownwood, Heath Bright of Lacy, Washington, Sheila Bright of Fort Worth, and Blake Williamson of Athens, TX. In addition, she is survived by 26 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
A funeral service will held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 3, 2012 at Calvary Baptist Church in Hamilton, with Rev. Andrew Sobities, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, officiating. Interment followed in the Cross Plains Cemetery in Cross Plains, TX.
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