Billy Florence (Holland) Dobbs

Billy was born in the central Texas community of Waldrip, to Warren and Maye Holland. Warren operated a mercantile store and post office. Billy had two older brothers who were Gene Holland and Cicero Holland. At a young age, Billy and family moved to Lamesa, Texas where mother Maye ran a boarding house and Warren was a part time seller of Watkins Products. Billy and her brother attended elementary school there.

In 1941 Billy and Cicero moved to Artesia, New Mexico with her mother and Sam Watson, her stepfather. She graduated from Artesia High School in 1950. Afterwards she attended college at Eastern New Mexico University and graduated in three years with a degree in mathematics.

While at Eastern she met and later married James (Jim) Dobbs. Early married life involved several moves: Oklahoma for graduate school where Billy worked in the Agriculture Chemistry Research Lab; Louisiana, Alabama, and Texas during the time Jim was in the Army; and Midland, Texas where two sons were born: Stephen Dobbs and Marcus Dobbs. While in Midland, Billy was active in church work with teaching children and helping to plant a new mission church.

In 1961, the family moved to Irving, Texas because of business opportunities. Again Billy was active in Bible teaching and supporting school activities of the growing family. In 1970, the family moved to Houston, Texas where Billy remained active in church activities. She became an elementary school teacher and served many years as an elementary math specialist at Hollibrook Elementary in the Spring Branch ISD. Several organizations recognized Billy as a teacher of the year and she was made an honorary life Member of the PTA. She retired after over twenty years of teaching, but continued as a volunteer working with students in the Hollibrook community, teaching math and making a difference in young lives one student at a time. During this time, she continued to support and encourage her children in their educational endeavors. Steve received his doctorate in nuclear engineering from Texas A&M University and Mark received his law degree from Baylor University.

Billy is survived by her husband of 59 years, James Dobbs of Houston; sons Stephen (Steve) and his wife, Deborah Dobbs of Richmond, Texas and Marcus (Mark) and his wife Jan Dobbs of Houston; two granddaughters, Diana Dobbs and Catherine Dobbs of Richmond; and one brother, Cicero Holland and his wife Geneva of Artesia, New Mexico.

The family will receive friends at a visitation on Monday, July 30th from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Waltrip Funeral Directors, 1415 Campbell Road in Houston.

Funeral services and a celebration of Billy's life, will be led by Pastor Jerry Mayfield at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 31st in the sanctuary of Spring Woods Baptist Church, 10131 Emnora Lane in Houston, followed by graveside services and interment at Woodlawn Garden of Memories, 1101 Antoine.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the New Mexico Christian Children’s Home in the name of Billy F. Dobbs at www. NMCCH.org. The address is: In Memory of Billy F. Dobbs, New Mexico Christian Children’s Home, 1356 New Mexico 236, Portales, NM 88130.