Obituary of Billie Jean Collie

Billie Jean Collie, our Mother, Sister, Grandmother, Aunt and Friend made her final journey to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, September 12, 2020 at the age of 92. Billie was born February 20, 1928 in North Zulch, Texas, the oldest of four children born to Fannie Vaught and Oran P. Tadlock. She was predeceased by her parents, husband Paul Collie, Sr., brother Tommie Tadlock, daughter Patricia Thomson and step-son Danny Collie. She is survived by 2 brothers, Robbie Tadlock, wife Dorothy and Jackie Tadlock, wife Barbara; 5 children: Kathleen Havel, husband Wilbur, Paul Collie, Jr., wife Kathy, Carol Collie Martin, Pauline Collie Nugent, Joe Collie and son-in-law Reverend H. Rogers Thomson, with whom she made her home. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and 2 great great-grandchildren, as well as many other family members. Billie’s childhood involved many moves as her father followed the oil industry. She often told of the one year that she attended 7 different schools. She learned to work hard and was always willing to do her part and more. She also knew how to have a good time and enjoyed being with people. There was always a smile on her face and a ready hand to help. Billie was a strong, intelligent, hardworking and independent Texas Woman. She hated to be late for any appointments. She was a dear friend to many, had great compassion for all and faced life’s challenges with integrity, determination and great faith. She was a lady in all ways and a beautiful person both inside and out. Her home was a place of welcome and hospitality and she loved having her family and friends visit at any time. Billie was a member of at least one Bunco Group and loved the time spent with her Bunco friends. She also loved hosting these groups in her home. To say that she stayed busy was an understatement; she was going and doing all the time, there were not many days she did not have something on her calendar. She was a great cook, did a lot of crafts including jewelry making, creating beautiful things with sea shells and helping make teddy bears for the Eastern Star members to take to Ronald McDonald House. For a number of years, she was a member of a camping travel group. She could back that trailer into most any camp site and often surprised the men with just how well she could handle her setup without help. Billie retired from Sears, Roebuck & Company and still maintained a friendship with some of those she had worked with. She completed one year of college and was a member of the Professional Secretary Association. Billie was a member of Clark Baptist Church and loved her church family and hosting parties in her home. She was faithful in her attendance until health limited her ability to attend. She lived her faith and was a trusted prayer warrior. On November 18, 1998 Billie joined Gonzales Chapter #403 Order of the Eastern Star and served as Worthy Matron in 2002-2003. December 21, 1999, she joined Luling Chapter #155 and served as Worthy Matron in 2003-2004, 2009-2010 and 2013-2014. She served the Grand Chapter of Texas, Order of the Eastern Star on many Committees; as Deputy Grand Matron for District 5, Section 8 2004-2005 and District 5 Humanitarian Chairman 2006-2007. She had the privilege of serving as Grand Page to Grand Marshals Saundra Zipp (2007-2008) and Lori Goldman (2012-2013). Billie was very honored by her appointment as Grand Representative of Texas in Delaware (2013-2014). She attended Delaware Grand Chapter twice. Billie remained very active in both of her Chapters and on the state level until the last few months. She will be dearly missed by her many OES Sisters and Brothers across the State of Texas and beyond. As per her request, Billie will be cremated and buried along-side her beloved husband, Paul Collie, Sr. at Forest Park Lawndale with a private family graveside service. A Memorial Program will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2020 at the Hardeman Masonic Lodge, 601 Fannin Street, Luling, Texas. This will include an Eastern Star Funeral Service. Everyone is welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be made to Gonzales Chapter #403 OES, 391 CR 345, Gonzales 78629; Luling Chapter #155, 804 Merritt Drive, Lockhart 78644; Clark Baptist Church, 9516 FM 794, Gonzales 78629; or Ronald McDonald House of Corpus Christi, 3402 Fort Worth Street, Corpus Christi 78411.