Mrs. Billie Jean Martin of Lake Cormorant, Mississippi, born August 4, 1931, began her eternal celebration with her Lord and Savior on June 3, 2022 at the age of 90 years old. She was a long-time member of Glenn’s Chapel Church. She cherished her titles of “Mama”, “Nana” , “Aunt Billie” and “Mrs. Billie” and she was the mother of 4 children and “Nana” to 11 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.
Born in Baldwyn, Mississippi to Bill and Ruby Parton, she grew up hoeing and picking cotton in the Great Depression South. Bettering herself, she graduated from the Baptist Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Memphis. Afterwards, she raised her family in Memphis, Raleigh and Pulaski, Tennessee before retiring as a registered nurse from the Memphis Baptist Memorial Hospital. She lived in Lake Cormorant for the last 25 years.
She was preceded in death by her son Michael Martin and her parents. She is survived by her two daughters, Gail Giaramita (Mike) of Lake Cormorant, Mississippi and Pat Lockshaw (Dave) of Crane Hill, Alabama and one son, Tommy Martin of Millington, Tennessee. She also has two surviving sisters, Sue Kesler and Vivian Ann Kesler, both of Little Rock, Arkansas. ( Both sisters married two brothers)
She is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Brooke Ward Mills, Christi Martin, Dana Romans (John), Jesse Burress (Samantha), Madie Martin, Maxx Martin (Barbara), Misty Sweat (Chris), Sarah Kennedy (Adam), Tommy Martin Jr., Vanessa Reed (Eddie) and Wesley Burress. Her surviving 9 great grandchildren are Presley, Bailey, Mikala, Cheyenne, Mary Ann, Greyson, James, Bianca and Blakely.
Some of her life’s highlights: First nurse to wear pantsuits at Baptist Hospital which she did on a bet in 1971… Spanked by her mother at the age of 11 for singing “Pistol Packin’ Mama” by Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters…A cousin of Dolly Parton… Giving a pet monkey and a pet goat to her children… Took into her own home her mother and her father-in-law, at the same time, when they were in their 90s…. Loved shopping at Aldi’s for bargains.
The family will be receiving friends Tuesday, June 7th, from 12-2 pm with services beginning at 2 pm at Glenn's Chapel Church. Interment to follow at Eudora Cemetery.
Hernando Funeral Home
www.hernandofuneralhome.com
662-429-5260