Obituary

Billie Earl Ross Ehresman, age 83, formerly of Plainview, passed away in the Uvalde Rehabilitation Center in Uvalde on Nov. 12, 2012. She was born to Earl Lothgrave Ross and Zethel O'Wayne Price on Nov. 27, 1928, in Canyon. Her father was a mechanic and her mother was a beautician and later a telephone operator in Plainview. Billie Earl's maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. William Price, helped raise her and she loved living on their farm northeast of Lockney. She was thrilled when the school bus could not make it out to the farm so she could talk her grandfather into letting her ride her horse to school in Lockney. Billie Earl later graduated from Abilene Christian High School and also attended college there. As a young woman, Billie Earl knew who her future husband would be upon first sight of Floyd Bert Ehresman while he was working for the Ehres?man Brothers Packing Company. They eventually met in the Church of Christ community. She talked her grandfather into hiring Floyd to break some horses that her grandfather owned. Of course, as she said, she would have to go out and check on the horses while Floyd was working with them. They were married on Aug. 1, 1948, at the home he had built for them in Plainview. Billie Earl and Floyd were blessed with five children: Ramona Lee, Anita Beth, Daniel Bert, Mitzi Kate and Roy Wayne. She was a Girl Scout leader for her daughter Ramona's troop. She worked at Ehres?man Brothers Packing Company with other members of Floyd's family. Billie later worked at Thunderbird School, the Health Department, Dr. Pitts' dentistry office and for the J.W. Hamby Company. A long-time member of the Church of Christ, she was a member of the Garland Street Church of Christ before moving her membership to the 11th and Amarillo Street Church of Christ, both of Plainview, and later she attended the Church of Christ in Knippa. Her family remembers her for her love of anything western, her tireless genealogical work, the wonderful fudge she made in an iron skillet, love of animals, and last but certainly not least, her amazing talent as an artist. They will remember her fondly when they see her favorite flower, the yellow rose. Billie Earl was preceded in death by her parents, beloved maternal grandparents, and her sister, Lottie Kate Nelson. Her eldest daughter, Ramona, passed away Aug. 14, 1981. The love of her life, Floyd, preceded Billie Earl in death seven years ago, on March 3, 2005. Billie Earl is survived her children, Anita Wright and husband, David, of Maxwell, N.M.; Daniel Ehresman of Clovis, N.M.; Mitzi Webb and husband, Thomas, of The Colony; and Roy Ehresman and wife, Bianca Spies, of Uvalde. She was blessed with her wonderful grandchildren, Jess Wright and his wife Anne, Kevin Wright, Laci Feagley, John Feagley and Carson Spies Ehresman; and one stepgranddaughter, Dallas Webb. She was twice blessed with great-grandchildren Paige Feagley and Myles Zalenski. Other survivors include her supportive and loving nieces, Mary Amanda Kjellstrom and Rebecca Eadie, and nephew, William P. Nelson. A memorial service to honor her life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, at Lemons Memorial Chapel, with J.W. Hamby officiating. Service arrangements are under the direction of Lemons Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Billie's name to the Plain?view Animal Shelter, 500 S.W. Third St., Plain?view, TX 79072, or to a favorite charity . Online condolences may be made at www.lemonsfunerals.com.