A memorial service for Billie Hames Edmondson, age 90, of Brownwood, Texas will be held 2:00 PM Thursday, July 7, 2016 at the Heartland Funeral Home with Bill Slaymaker officiating. Her cremated remains will be privately interred beside those of her husband in Greenleaf Cemetery. Mrs. Edmondson passed away Wednesday, June 29, 2016 at her residence.
Billie Jo was born on May 2, 1926 in Wiley, Texas to Harry Edward and Frankie Faye Stephens Hames. Billie attended schools in Rising Star and Brownwood. She was previously married to A.D. Kelly, the father of her children. She was a longtime member of the Coggin Avenue Baptist Church, and attended the Mary Martha Sunday School class. Billie was an employee of Southwestern States Telephone Company, later General Telephone Company, for 14 years. Twelve of those years were in management, first as a Commercial Instructor, and then as a Business Office Supervisor. On September 29, 1973, Billie was married to James Ewell Edmondson, in Brownwood. At his request, soon after their marriage, she joined him in the family business, Edmondsons Womens Wear. She enjoyed all aspects of the business, especially their faithful emloyees, and all their friends and customers. In 1992, James and Billie decided to close the store, retire, and do some traveling. This they were able to do, until James’ sudden death in September 2000. After his death, Billie stayed busy, volunteering with the Auxiliary of BRMC, joining Senior Friends of BRMC, serving as its president for two years, serving on the Advisory Board of Senior Circle at BRMC, and volunteering at the Salvation Army Loaves and Fishes.
Billie was preceded in death by her parents Rev. and Mrs. Harry Hames, her husband James Edmondson, an infant son, her sister and brother-in-law Mary and Paul Waldrop, Sr. and her niece Diane Holland. She is survived by two sons Dan Kelly and Joe H. Kelly, both of Brownwood, two daughters Gail Neal of Clyde, Texas and Ann Kinshaw of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, ten grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. Billie is also survived by her nieces Evy Winn of Brownwood and Sue Childs of Galveston and her nephew Paul Waldrop, Jr.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net.