© Marietta Monitor
9 May 2025, Page 4
She is preceded in
death by her parents; a sister, Oletha Nell Clower; a brother-in-law,
Forrest Kirby; and a nephew, Dean Clower.
Mary Sue is survived by her devoted husband of nearly 60 years, Samuel
Billingsley; her beloved children, Scott Billingsley, Susan Billingsley
Pilkington (Lonnie), Sara Billingsley, and Kelly Billingsley; and her
cherished granddaughters, Afton Billingsley, Addie Billingsley, Kaia
Pilkington, and Lyndee Pilkington. She also leaves behind her brother,
James Clower (Patsy); her sister, Juanita Wells (Wayne); and her loving
nephews and nieces, Mark Kirby (Bretta), Tim Kirby (Kathy), David Kirby
(Michelle), Steve Kirby (Holly), Chris Kirby, Kevin Clower (Terri),
David Durrill (Judy) and Daniel Durrill (Brenda).
She and Sam were marred on August 28, 1965, in Lawton. They met at the
Stillwater Church of Christ while students at Oklahoma State University.
Following Sam's graduation from OSU, he and Mary Sue moved to Memphis,
Tennessee, where she worked at the Harding Graduate School of Religion
bookstore while Sam attended the graduate school.
After seven years in the business community, while living in Smyrna,
Tennessee, they became the youth ministry couple for the Smyrna Church
of Christ. Mary Sue used her talents working with children to begin a
Mother's Day Out program that has continued to serve this congregation
for more than fifty years.
In 1977 they moved to Waxahachie, Texas and she again started a Mother's
Day Out program for the College Street Church of Christ. This work
continues to this day. While living in Waxahachie, she went back to
college and completed her BA in Elementary Education at Texas Woman's
University. She then taught at Northside Elementary School and Dallas
Christian School for the next 11 years. During this time the couple
moved to Dallas, and Mary Sue pioneered a transitional first grade class
for Dallas Christian School.
In 1995, they were given the opportunity to move to Searcy, Arkansas and
work with the College Church of Christ. While in Searcy, Mary Sue
attended Harding University and received her certification to teach
Special Education. She worked with elementary school students for White
County Central School for 12 years before retiring.
Mrs. B., as her students called her, was a dedicated wife, mother,
teacher, and Christian woman. She has definitely "fought the good fight,
finished the race, and kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7).
A graveside service was held Friday, May 2 at Lakeview Cemetery,
Marietta, with a memorial service on Saturday, May 3 at the College
Church of Christ, Searcy.
Memorial donations may be made to Sparrow's Promise, 208 East Moore
Avenue, Searcy, AR 72143 or sparrowspromise.org.
Online guest book: rollerfuneralhomes.com
Roller-Daniel
This obituary included a photo of Mrs. Billingsley with her devoted
husband.