of Violet Hill, AR
May 12, 1935 - March 18, 2023
Bertha Mae (Yancey) Billingsley, 87, of Violet Hill passed away Saturday, March 18, 2023 at White River Medical Center in Batesville, Arkansas.
She was born May 12, 1935 in Brockwell to Joseph Eldon Yancey and Epper Palma Dockins Yancey.
Bertha was a very family oriented lady who loved the Lord and wanted her family to know Him. She was a very hard worker who worked many jobs over the years to help support her family. Bertha traveled with her family to work seasonal fruit in Washington State. Once back in Arkansas she worked at Baxter Laboratories in Midway, followed by the Glove Factory in Calico Rock. One job that she really loved, though, was working at the cafeteria at Violet Hill Schools. She left there to work at Tri-County Shirt Factory in Melbourne/Salem where she worked until she retired to help her husband on the broiler farm for Townsend Poultry.
Some of her favorite things to do were reading, working word search puzzles and quilting, especially baby quilts. The thing she loved most, though, was taking care of her cows! She would get on her tractor, even in cold weather and go feed them. In the summer, she would get on that tractor and go bush hog and when she wasn't doing that she was mowing and taking care of her yard and flowers. She was able to do all this up to the age of 85 and she didn't let anything or anybody get in the way of what she was determined to do.
Among her many talents, she was a wonderful cook. Her family's favorite was her cocoa gravy and biscuits. Anyone who visited her was treated to a great meal and nobody left her house hungry.
Survivors include one son, Ron Billingsley (Patty) of Jonesboro; two daughters, Cindy Weaver (Tim) of Melbourne, Saundria Ash of Conway; one sister, Georgia Gaye Yancey Ramsey (Charley) of Kansas; eleven grandchildren, Jordan Ash (Holly), Nicholas Ash (Bailey), Diane Billingsley Gross (Brandon), Randall Billingsley, Ashley Howell-Fleming (Drew), Adam Jones, Amanda Billingsley Hall (Joey),Brooke Billingsley Proctor (Justin), Crista Billingsley Farmer (Josh), Paul Billingsley (Ashley), Cortney Billingsley Beers (Niles); seventeen great-grandchildren, Lydia Ash, Beckett Ash, Haley Weatherford, Chloe Weatherford, Ella Howell, Emma Jones, Haiden Howell, Daqni Hall Reynolds (Dylan), Greenly Hall, Ava Hall, Allison Farmer, Lillian Farmer, Emma Grace Billingsley, Wyatt Billingsley, William Beers, Tatum Beers, Josephine Mae Ash, as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Loyce Billingsley; two sons, Mark and Rick Billingsley and one brother, Billy Joe Yancey.
Pallbearers are Jordan Ash, Paul Billingsley, Nicholas Ash, Adam Jones, Matt Ramsey, Steve Yancey and Mike Puett. Honorary pallbearers are Doug Harbor, Justin Proctor, Drew Fleming, Brandon Gross, Joey Hall, Niles Beers and Josh Farmer.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 25, 2023 at the Fairview Missionary Baptist Church at 2:00pm with Dr. Terry Yancey and Dr. Randy Bailey officiating. Burial will follow at Violet Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 1:00pm until the service time.
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17 Condolence(s)
Dr Randall Bailey
Saturday, March 25, 2023
I will sure miss Sister Bertha! She was a blessing and I enjoyed being her Pastor and friend.
Stevie & Sheila
Friday, March 24, 2023
We will miss Aunt B !
Margaret Billingsley
Thursday, March 23, 2023
I love u aunt Bert. U will always b in my heart, along with Loyce, Mark, and Rick. Wish I could b there to send u off to fly with the angels.
Shannan Taylor
Thursday, March 23, 2023
To the Billingsley family...I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you now and always â¤
Linda Blevins St. Pierre
Thursday, March 23, 2023
I remember her from Church, School and the Community. What a very sweet lady she was. Sending prayers our to her Family. RiP Bertha.
Tommy and Linda Lott
Thursday, March 23, 2023
We are so sorry for your loss. Ms. Bertha sounds like a really wonderful lady. Prayers for you during this difficult time.
Jodi Boggs
Thursday, March 23, 2023
I'm so sorry for your loss. Ms Bertha was such an amazing lady. Sending prayers to your family during this difficult time
Martha Bonewits
Thursday, March 23, 2023
Such a beautiful lady!
Prayers for peace and comfort for your family.
Fern Sherrell
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Bertha was such a strong kindhearted women. She will be missed!
Steve Riggan
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
She will be missed a lot. I enjoyed seeing her last year and catching up on our wonderful Yancey family. So much love for her family and she was the best! Love you, Bert, and wish I could have seen more of you throughout my life.
Ken Jones
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
I have life long memories, yes literally from toddler to forever, of this wonderful and gracious woman and her family. The best friend my mother ever had with a love that transcended generations of our families.Times in WA and AR with Loyce, Bert, Saundria, Rick, Cindy, Ron and Mark are some of the best and most special life experiences that anyone would consider themselves lucky, yes very lucky to enjoy. Meal times enjoying Berts cooking, esp. her chocolate gravy and bisquits are of my fondest memories. As are the times sitting on their porch or at their dining room table reminiscing and sharing in the memories that our famlies had of times in Kansas City, Violet Hill or in Wenatchee. Though life and distance has been between us for several years, my love for this family has never waived. My thoughts, prayers and heartfelt condolences are with them all. God bless Bertha Mae and the friendship of her amazing family.
Charlotte Meese
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
So sorry for the loss of my beloved cousin. She was a beautiful person both inside and outside. She will be missed by all. My condolences to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. What wonderful memories I have of her.
Rachel (Williams) Faulkner
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Cindy, Ron, & all of your families—
I am very sorry for the loss of your sweet mother. She & your father were wonderful people & part of the backbone of the Violet Hill community for many years. My Dad worked with Loyce at school & thought the world of him & your mom. Your family will be in my prayers today & in the days ahead. God Bless.
Joshua Yancey
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
I was very saddened to hear of Aunt Bert’s passing. I will not be able to make the funeral unfortunately. However, my fond memories of stopping in to see her when I lived in Violet Hill will forever be in my mind. I loved Aunt Bert.
My prayers and thoughts are with all of the family.
Praying God’s peace for you all.
Josh Yancey
Kathy Gay
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
In case I can’t make it Saturday please know your in my prayers. I can’t even imagine… God is good and is the great comforter.
Brenda Billingsley Kelley
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Sincere condolences to the family of this beautiful lady.
ANITA S SEAMAN
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Praying for your families, during this time of the loss of your dear mother, grandmother, aunt and sister.
Sending heartfelt hugs and condolences.
Anita Seaman