Billie Adell Ross, formerly Wright, of Hanford, California went to be with the Lord surrounded by her family on September 10, 2017 at 7:14 p.m. at the age of 85. Billie was the oldest of two (2) daughters of William and Faye (Thrift) Wright. Billie was a wonderful mother and Nana, not only to her immediate family, but all who met her. Many would describe Billie as being the most selfless, kindhearted person they ever had the blessing of meeting.
Billie was born in Canadian, Oklahoma on January 06, 1932. In 1937 Billie’s father moved their family to the San Joaquin Valley in California so he could find work. Her mother passed away when she was just nine (9) years old. Billie’s maternal grandmother, Joanna Thrift, known as Mama Thrift, moved in and helped raise Billie and her sister with their father. Billie is described as being a very outgoing child. As she grew older, her family would describe her as “gorgeous”, her sister explains that “boys were crazy over her”.
Billie married Carl Ross (deceased) at the age of 16 in 1948 and gave birth to her first child in 1950. She gave birth to her second child in 1952. She helped managed the family business while being a wonderful homemaker and raising her children, and then helping to raise her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Billie became a grandmother in 1971 when her grandson was born and again in 1975 when her granddaughter was born, this is when she became known as “Nana”, insisting she was too young to be called Grandma. In 1992 her first great granddaughter was born making her a great grandmother, followed by her second great granddaughter in 1995 and her third great granddaughter in 2001. Billie’s great-great grandsons were born in 2004 and 2007.
Billie had a smile that could light up the room. Being surrounded by family brought the most joy to her life, especially around the holidays. She loved decorating her entire house, inside and out, for the Christmas season so she and everyone else could enjoy it. Every year, her whole family knew without having to ask that Billie was going to host Christmas at her house on Christmas Eve. If there were any young children in her life at the time, Billie would always make certain they opened a small present early and they would bake Christmas cookies together. On Easter Sunday after attending church, Billie would be the first one out the door for the Easter egg hunt. Billie also always made sure all of her family members felt special on their Birthdays by hosting small parties at her home, which always included cake and ice cream. During the middle of her life, Billie enjoyed searching for “treasures” using a metal detector as well as traveling, always with family. As she grew older, Billie became fond of watching game shows, going to the mall to people watch and playing bingo at the school carnival. Everyone knew not to ask Billie to do anything on Thursdays, which was the day she got her hair done, and everyone knew no one was allowed to touch her hair.
Her family takes comfort in knowing Billie was a very faithful woman and had a close relationship with the Lord. She was the perfect example of living by the motto “what would Jesus do?”
Billie is survived by her two (2) daughters, Carol Ward and Cynthia Sanchez; her sister, Jeanene Ross; her grandchildren, Randall Ward, Jr. and Christie Ward; her great grandchildren, Jessica Mendiola, Brittany Ward, and Arrianna Ward; and her great-great grandchildren, Travis Mendiola and Curtis Mendiola. She will surely be missed by all; her family is blessed to have had so many great memories with her to cherish.
Billie would want to remind anyone who was mourning her death that she has finally gone Home.
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