Billie Lee Mentz

Billie Lee Stephens Mentz was born in Southwest City, Missouri on November 22, 1932 to James Noah and Edna Stephens. Billie was the second of three sisters. She graduated from Bremen High School in Bremen, GA in 1949. Billie graduated from Shorter College in Rome, GA in 1953 where she received her Bachelor of Public School Music with a major in Piano and a minor in Violin. Billie received her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, GA.

On June 14, 1953, Francis and Billie were married at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Anniston, AL. Billie was a fourth grade teacher in the Fulton County School System for 25 years. She also worked at her husband’s drugstore, Headland Pharmacy in East Point, GA. Billie was an accomplished artist, seamstress, and cook and an amazing aunt to two generations of nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her husband of 65 years, Francis Henry Mentz; her parents, James Noah Stephens and Edna (Bodenstein) Stephens; sister, Jackie Mentz, and brothers-in-law, Marlin Alwin Mentz and Charlie Canada Smith.

Billie is survived by her sister, Bobbie Jean Smith; nieces and nephews, Stephen (Virginia) Mentz, Detlef (Amy) Mentz, Andrea (Perry) Mitchum, Tara Lynn (Rick) Douds and Kerry (Cheryl) Smith; great nieces and nephews, Bethany Mentz, Tristan Mentz, Emil (Kirby) Mentz, Emily (Andy) Richter, Andrew Mentz, LeAndra (Nathan) Grund, Charlie Smith and Sarah Smith. She is also survived by two great-great nieces, Eden Mentz and Nora Richter.

Billie entered eternal life on Sunday, January 18, 2026. A Graveside Service for Billie Mentz will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026 at 2:00 pm at Carroll Memorial Gardens, 914 Stripling Chapel Rd., Carrollton, GA 30116.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to: Donate by mail: Lutheran Hour Ministries, 660 Mason Ridge Center Drive St. Louis, MO, 6314; https://www.lhm.org/ Or Donate by Phone: Call 1-800-944-3450