Billie B. McLeod

Billie Lou Brunson was born on October 28, 1938 in Davis Station, South Carolina to Harry and Mary Brunson. She grew up on the family farm and worked at Dingle’s Grocery Store in Summerton. She graduated from Summerton High in 1956 and Winthrop in 1960. She married Jerry McLeod in 1960 and they spent their married life in Columbia, South Carolina and Chattanooga.

Billie spent her life giving to many individuals and groups including Red Bank Methodist Church, Red Bank and Hixson School PTOs, Girl Scouts, Christian Women’s Club, Symphony Guild, Tennessee Junior Miss Pageant, and others.

Billie was a member of Red Bank Methodist Church and involved in many ministries and activities. She loved God and believed the best way to tell others about Jesus was through her actions. She lived this out through her generosity, thoughtfulness, and unconditional love for those in her life. She had the unique gift of being able to connect with people, no matter how much or how little they had in common. This earned her the title of “best friend” by countless people in her life, including both friends and family members. She was passionate about hospitality and hosted Thanksgiving and Christmas each year for her family and friends. While she was an exceptional decorator and natural entertainer, so much of her joy came from seeing others laughing and conversing around her table. She was a detailed planner who valued organization, yet was also known as the life of the party.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jerome Nelson “Jerry” McLeod Jr; her brothers Jimmy, Steve, and Jerry “Tub” Brunson; sisters Alice Coleman and June Wilson; brothers-in-law, Byrns Coleman, James Vaughan and Charles Weeks. She was also predeceased by Jerry’s sisters, Sissy Weatherford Drew, and Martha Ann Branham; and brothers-in-law, Gene Weatherford, Frank Drew and Sam Branham.

Billie is survived by children and in-laws Nelson and Robin McLeod, Libby and William Camp, and Caki and Billy Thibodeaux. Her grandchildren are Michelle (Sam) Jones, Jay McLeod, Brittany (Carey) Bryant, Kristen (Clint) Landers, Eric Camp, Austin (Mickayla) Camp, Justin Camp, Lee (Alicia) Thibodeaux, Kyle (Rachel) Thibodeaux, and Jake (Audrey) Thibodeaux. Her beloved great-grandchildren are Graham and Noah Jones, Kayleigh and Clara Landers, Jerome and Emory Thibodeaux, Jax and Titus Thibodeaux, and Ann Hollis, Taylor, and McLeod Thibodeaux.

Billie’s siblings are Ginger Vaughan, Lois Weeks, Rose (Frankie) Drose, Ruby (Bill) Livingston, Gloria (Ken) Holladay, and Gayle Brunson; brother-in-law, Joe Wilson (Pam); and sister-in-law, Cindy Brunson; Jerry’s siblings are Robert (Beth) McLeod, and Frank (Beth) McLeod.

Billie donated her body to medical research. No formal services will be held. Memorials can be made to The Therapy Place, 3620 Covenant Road, Forest Acres, South Carolina, 29204.