Billie Jones Martin

Billie Jones Martin of Ridgeway, Virginia joined Jesus, her husband, Bob, parents, relatives and many friends in Heaven on April 18, 2024 after a brief illness. Billie was born on June 9, 1926 in Henry County, Virginia.

Billie is survived by her three daughters, Judy Bowman (Jerry), Kathy Estep and Gwynn McVicker, grandchildren, Jessica McVicker Soto (Martin), Andrew McVicker (Becky), Mark Bowman (Becky), David Estep, Ryan Estep, Shannon Bowman Floyd (Scott), Chris Bowman (Juliet), ten great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. Billie is also survived by numerous Jones, Martin and Lacy nieces, nephews, cousins and more friends than you can imagine.

Billie was predeceased by the love of her life, Bob Martin, her parents Thomas K. Jones, Jr. and Patricia Lacy Jones and her beloved brother, Thomas K. Jones, III.

Billie had a wonderful life as she often said. She was raised in a family that owned George O. Jones & Sons General Store in Ridgeway where she had access to all types of items that a young girl would want -everything from ice cream and candies to fancy magazines. Billie was a tomboy but the opportunities for girls to participate in sports were nonexistent in her youth. Bob was always so happy around Billie because he knew he was the luckiest man to have her as his wife. However, he may have been a little jealous when she joined him in playing nine holes of golf at Forest Park Country Club. After playing infrequently she would walk up to the tee and hit a beautiful drive down the middle of the fairway with her beloved rosewood driver. Bob could only smile.

She attended Madison College for two years before returning to Ridgeway to work at Virginia Mirror. During that period she heard of a handsome soldier who had just returned from World War II. He had also heard of her and arranged an “accidental” meeting while he was on his lunch break from First National Bank of Martinsville. The rest is history. Billie was a stay at home mom until the youngest of her three daughters was in the third grade. At that time she went to work for her beloved Uncle, Dr. G. Louis Jones.

Bob and Billie celebrated sixty five wonderful years of marriage in which they taught their family the meaning of love, honor and devotion. Billie’s happiest moments were the times she was surrounded by her family, especially celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas when she had all of the wonderful casseroles that her Mother had taught her to cook. In particular, her daughters loved the cakes with homemade chocolate icing that she would bake for their special occasions.

Billie was a dedicated member of the Ridgeway Methodist Church where she was baptized, raised, married and where her services will be held. For 97 years she was a faithful and loving member of the congregation where she developed so many close friendships. She served in many capacities at the Church including long time greeter and communion steward. Billie was also a member and volunteer at Piedmont Arts and a volunteer at Martinsville Memorial Hospital.

For those who knew Billie it will come as no surprise that she and Bob were the guiding lights for each other and that no two people were more in love and dedicated to the other. Together Bob and Billie inspired their family to live loving and meaningful lives and to treasure each moment that is given to them through the grace of God on this Earth.

Billie and Bob loved going to Virginia Beach during their younger years and later to Myrtle Beach with many of their friends. They enjoyed trips to Alaska, Hawaii, Wyoming where they rafted the Snake River, Colorado, New England and many other wonderful trips. They enjoyed the Barter Theatre in Abingdon but most of all they loved being together and being with their family. Billie loved her daughters with all of her heart and was so proud of each of them. She often commented that she had three favorite daughters, Judy – her favorite oldest daughter, Kathy - her favorite middle daughter and Gwynn – her favorite youngest daughter. It is a great reflection on Billie that each of them knew they were her favorite. She made each of them feel that way. A special thanks goes out to Gwynn for the time and all of the help that she provided to their Mother after Bob’s death.

Billie was kind and sweet, laughed often, was self-deprecating and eventually learned that when one gives you a compliment, whether deserved or not, the only proper response is “thank you.” In her case the compliment was always deserved. Billie had a mischievous side to her that many did not know. An acquaintance once referred to her as a “catbird,” a reference that she enjoyed.

After Bob’s death she had a sun room added to her house where she watched the seasons pass, looking at trees, squirrels, an occasional herd of deer and a special bird – a cardinal - where legend signifies that a loved one is near. Each time a cardinal appeared outside of her sun room Billie would acknowledge it witha smile and a “hi” to Bob. This past week following her death that sun room has been visited by a male and female cardinal. So remember her with the grace in which she lived her life and when you see those cardinals smile, say “hi” and wish Billie and Bob a wonderful eternal life together. She had a wonderful life on Earth.

The family will greet friends and family between noon and 12:50 pm on April 27, 2024 at Ridgeway Methodist Church, 160 Church Street, Ridgeway, Virginia with the funeral at 1 p.m. Interment will immediately follow at Mountain View Cemetery, Ridgeway.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ridgeway Methodist Church, P.O. Box 78, Ridgeway, VA 24148 or the Ridgeway District Rescue Squad, P.O. 611, Ridgeway, VA 24148.

Arrangements are being handled by Collins-McKee-Stone Funeral Home Martinsville. Online condolences may be expressed at www.collinsmckeestonemartinsville.com.