Billie Ruth Ellis

Billie Ruth Weaver Ellis precious child of God and longtime member of Watters Road Church of Christ in Pasadena, Texas received her heavenly reward and went to be with Jesus early Friday morning, June 18, 2021, at her home of 70 years in Houston, Texas. It was a promise kept by her daughters.

Preceded in death by her husband, Charles “Buck” Ellis and one daughter, Kris Teena Ellis Roberson Cofer; her parents, Wayne and Bertie Stovall Weaver; sisters, Lena Ellis, Tommie Westbrook, and Dee Freeman; one brother, Kenneth Weaver.

She is survived by daughters, Cassie Kirk and husband Sterling; Julie Fisher and husband Ronnie; and Beth Bow.

Grandchildren: Carolyn Roberson Dixon; Jennifer Roberson Hendrix; Charles Cofer, Dawn Kirk Oggero, Chad Kirk, Cassandra Kirk Davis, Shana Fisher Maxwell, Carri Fisher Kolojaco, and Mitchell Bow.

Great-grandchildren: Megan Massarello, Mason Dixon, Chase Hendrix, Hailey Hendrix, Cash Cofer, Lauren Oggero, Vincent Oggero, Truitt Kirk, Baileigh Kirk, Emily Kirk, Easton “Buck” Kirk, Carson Davis, Carter Davis, Cole Davis, and Fisher Maxwell.

Also survived by Cena O’Brien, Jon Reese, Aiden Reese, Addison Reese, Kasey O’Brien, John Luke Sweeten, Jaxson Sweeten, Cody Ketchum, Dylan Ketchum, Jasmine Ketchum, Wayne Weaver, Charles Weaver, Tamara Miramontes, Jasmine Weaver, and Cody Weaver. Numerous nieces and nephews, and one special friend, Debbie Kokosz Bennett.

Officiant: Larry Macomber, preacher at Vicksburg Church of Christ, Vicksburg, Mississippi.

Pallbearers: Sterling Kirk, Chad Kirk, Bat Oggero, Chris Davis, Jon Reese, and Chase Hendrix.

A visitation for Billie will be held Thursday, June 24, 2021 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, Texas 77023. A funeral service will occur Friday, June 25, 2021 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, Texas 77023. A committal service will occur Friday, June 25, 2021 from 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, Texas 77023.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ForestParkLawndaleFH.com for the Ellis family.

For my family, June 18, 2021 will forever be our day of infamy. On this day we lost our beloved matriarch, Billie Ruth Weaver Ellis. As I sit here writing this tribute on her dining room table, surrounded by her things—the things she loved, I cannot help but think about this old house. Over 70 years in this home, a lifetime of memories are stored here within these walls. If this house could talk, what would it say? Contained within its walls are stories of happiness and joy; pain and sorrow, but most importantly love and laughter. For years, over a half a century this house was the heartbeat of our family, as much a part of it as flesh and blood. Memories of those no longer with us dwell in this home—Grandmother, Grandma Clark, Mimi and Popa, Aunt Tommie, Aunt Lena, Aunt Dee, Daddy, and our dear sister Kris among many others. Our mother was the one who made this house a home. The one who breathed life into it. But I digress. As Paul Harvey (whom she loved) would say, here is the rest of the story.

On March 16, 1928, a beautiful little girl with no name entered this world in a small Texas town called Mineral Wells. The first of five and the last surviving child of Wayne Weaver and Bertie Velma Stovall was without a name for a short time. Finally, her name was settled upon—Billie Ruth, being named Billie as a tribute to her mother's father just as her younger sister, Tommie Jean was to be for her paternal grandfather. I wish I could have known my mother as a child and a young woman. Marrying at the young age of fifteen, I suppose she was a handful. But, seeing the photos of her as a young woman and throughout her life, I have no doubt of the love and importance she held for her family.

Billie and her family moved to Houston in July of 1942, which proved to be the most epoch-making event in her young life. She lived just a few blocks, a short walking distance, from the local hangout called “Pig and Chick,” located at the corner of Telephone Road and Long Drive in Houston. While on one of her treks, a cute young nineteen-year-old man named Charles “Buck” Ellis, was cruising the streets with a carload of his friends. He liked to make his 1939 Ford sedan backfire to get the girls attention. In my mother’s case, it worked. They began dating and shortly afterwards, about two weeks to be exact, he blurted out to her in what could be described as a moment of passion,

"What do you think about us getting married?"

Not wanting to keep you, dear reader, in suspense, her answer was

"Yes," and the rest is history to quote a well-used cliché.

They were married in Galveston, Texas on March 27, 1943, just a mere eleven days after Billie turned fifteen years old. After a week of married life and a one-night honeymoon in Galveston, Charles left for basic training in Illinois. And finally on November 5, 1943, he departed for the European Theatre of Operations. For over two years she awaited his return.

On July 11, 1945, he arrived back in the United States with his unit, slowly making his way back to Houston where he found his young bride waiting for him at the Grand Union Station. On December 28, 1946, they welcomed the first of their four girls, Kris Teena, into their lives. Subsequently following were Cheryl Cassandra, Julie Anne, and last, but not least, Beth Marie bringing up the rear.

I remember as a young teenager, mother telling me that she wanted a particular poem to be read at her funeral. She read it to me, but unfortunately, being a child, I paid little attention. I asked her to mark it in the poetry book. Well, for some reason, I actually remembered this. After searching for hours over a two-day span after her death, I finally found the book, A Treasury of the Familiar edited by Ralph L. Woods. Much to my horror, there was more than one poem marked with none notating which one she wanted to be read at her funeral. So, I am having to make an educated guess. Regardless, by her marking this poem in her book of poetry, I know it held great meaning to her. The poem is entitled “Silver Threads Among the Gold” by Eben E. Rexford.

Darling, I am growing old,

Silver threads among the gold,

Shine upon my brow today,

Life is fading fast away;

But, my darling, you will be

Always young and fair to me.

Yes! My darling, you will be

Always young and fair to me.

When your hair is silver white,

And your cheeks no longer bright,

With the roses of the May,

I will kiss your lips and say;

Oh! My darling mine alone,

You have never older grown.

Love can never more grow old,

Locks may lose their brown and gold,

Cheeks may fade and hollow grow,

But the hearts that love will know;

Never, never, winter’s frost and chill,

Summer warmth is in them still.

Love is always young and fair,

What to us is silver hair,

Faded cheeks or steps grown slow,

To the heart that beats below?

Since I kissed you mine alone,

You have never older grown.

Billie was the epitome of Matthew 25:34-40 taking the scriptures to heart. At many points in her lifetime, I witnessed firsthand how she fed the hungry; clothed the poor; gave the thirsty drink; welcomed strangers into her home; helped care for the sick; and visited those in prison. She brought many souls to Christ by her example and through her work with the World Bible School. I remember once when a young woman came to our door selling encyclopedias, my mother saw that she was hot and thirsty. She invited her into our home, and we gave her drink and fed her. She never turned away someone needing a place to stay whether it be family, friends, or strangers.

Mother, “you have never older grown.” When I think of you, I think of the young woman I have only known in photos. I have no doubt you will be waiting for us with open arms when our time on this earth is done. Until we meet again, my precious mother.