Judy Billingsley was born on October 21, 1938 in East St. Louis, Illinois, to Gabe and Louise Strong. Judy began her eternal life as a child when she trusted Christ as her personal Savior. She passed away peacefully in Barling, Arkansas on March 31, 2024.
Judy is survived by her sister, Diane O’Day; brother-in-law, Andy LePeau; three children, Dave Billingsley (Mary Beth), Donna Hite (Mark) and Dan Billingsley (Amber); 15 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren (with a couple more on the way). Her husband, Ward and daughter, Diana preceded her in glory in 2022.
Judy attended Midwest Bible College starting in 1956. She met Ward at Midwest. They were married in 1960, graduated and had their first child in 1961. Judy loved her time at Midwest, saying “those years were full of fun, fellowship, struggles and lessons.”
Judy’s life emphasis was people, as she consistently displayed God’s love in relationships – not only with her family and friends, but also with anyone she came in contact with. She loved being a mom and a grandma. After having three children, Judy went back to college for a degree in education; she taught just two years before God blessed her and Ward with a fourth child. She gave end-of-life care to her mother-in-law in her own home while parenting a teenager and a preschooler. Judy served in the church nursery, VBS, and Awana. Later, she volunteered at Child Evangelism Fellowship, virtually full-time, driven by a desire to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.
On Mother’s Day last year, Judy shared, “My greatest joy in life has been my four children and seeing them love and obey our Savior.” And then, as she would often repeat her favorite grandchildren stories, she proudly recalled, “Among my many precious memories is when Dan asked his sons, Titus and Eli, if amusement park season passes were the best gift they had ever received and Titus said, ‘No, Jesus is,’ and Eli added, ‘Jesus and my family.’ ”
Finally, Judy also recently shared, “I spend lots of time counting my blessings these days, and while my kids and their kids make up a large part of that, I am so thankful for the previous generations that God has blessed us with . . Grandma Sadie, Uncle Frank, Granny and Pop, Grandma Billingsley, Uncle Gene, and more. God is faithful. Praise Him.”
Arrangements are under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood. Inurnment will be at Gentry Cemetery in Greenwood. To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.
