Billie Jean Martin

Billie, age 54, of Inglewood California, was born April 29 1959 in Torrance. She earned her Angel wings on October 02, 2013 in the arms of her Momma Jane, Brother Fred, Sisters Carol and Brenda after a three year battle with health issues.

Born to Jane B. (Yarbrough) Martin and John W Martin, she was 1 of 10 siblings. She graduated from Lennox High School in Lennox, California then went on to attend VCR repair training school in Los Angeles California. Billie started her employment at about 12 years of age selling mistletoe, mowing lawns, painting houses, fixing bikes and running errands for all her neighbors. She worked for Martin Construction (her father's company) in Inglewood California, Pup N Taco in Lennox California where she worked her way up to management; she worked as day labor as extras on movie sets; she worked for Informer Electronics where she was a Parts pickup driver; worked for an archaeologist as a sand sifter in Westchester, California; for Dirt Buster with Angela; and as a bartender for El Capitan in Hawthorne California.

Billie lived in Inglewood, Westchester, Redondo Beach, Hawthorne, Manhattan Beach, Lawndale, and Torrance California all her life. She loved all sports, especially softball; she loved to sing karaoke; camping and fishing; going to the park to feed the ducks; ping pong; and tennis. Some of her greatest enjoyments were betting with her dad on ball bames, being a prankster, and entertaining all the kids.

Billie volunteered her time helping at the convalescent home in Hawthorne, at the Gay Pride Parade, at at the food pantry at her Church. She belonged to the South Bay Bottle Club.

She was disappointed that other gays were not accepted by their families and friends with open arms as she was, so she would take them under her wing. She was also disappointed that she could not feed the world and all the critters in the world. She was always trying to find homes for the homeless animals and give someone her coat to keep them warm. Billie wanted everyone to be fed, be warm, and be laughing. She prided herself in taking care of all her family and making them laugh.

Billie is survived by her mother Jane B, (Yarbrough) Martin of Inglewood, California; best friend and love of her life Gail Fadina; brother John W. Depietro (Kat) MA; sister, Lee C. Koesema (John) MI/FL; brother John J Luck (Rhonda) NV; sister, Verna J. Poole (Bob) AZ; Patricia J. Skelton (John) CA; Brenda L. Luck Duncan (Gene) CA; sister, Carol A. Buskeness (Rodney) CA; brother Alfred Martin (Sherry) CA; Randy and Gina; nephews and nieces Bunny, Johnny, Christopher, Jeremy, Jason, Terri, Robert, Tonya, JJ, Sara, Cindy, Lori, Katie, Joseph, Jay, Liz, Paula, Joanne, Tracy, Miguel, Tim, Casie, Tony, Joanna, Mike, Sammy, Steve, Matt, Kathy, AJ, Cristina, Josh, Shane, Emma, Anita, Austin, Wiley, Vanessa, Jayden, Drake, Kane, Samantha, Mason, Trenton, Zoey, Stephanie, Daniel, Denise, Jason, Sharon, Jesse, Brandon; and many honorary nephews and nieces. She was loved by many and will be missed by all.

She was predeceased by her father John W Martin in 2009; grandparents, Anna Kilborn (Dayton) Martin in 1992; Alfred Charles Martin in 1972; Ilda Mae (Nalley) Yarbrough in 1994; and Claude Chesley Yarbrough in 1971; sister Linda Luck in 1949; niece Christina C. Luck in 1973; and her babies Fro Fro (her dog) and Bud Boy (her cat) in 2009.

Her pallbearers are her nephews: Gerald Garza, Timothy Buskeness, Austin Hill, Tony Buskeness, Steven Martin and Mathew Martin.

A memorial donation suggestion in lieu of flowers would be to donate to the Human Rights Campaign Lesbian, Gay,

Bisexual and Transgender Equal Rights ( LGBT), Alcoholics Anonymous, and no kill animal shelters.

A quotation of Billie's: "Do you Believe?" Three words that sum up the life of Billie: "There for Others."

Special Thank You to Gail Fadina, Tony Buskeness, William H Carroll, Virginia Lee Canada, and Genevieve Fidalgo for being there for Momma.

I'M FREE -

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free

I'm following the path God has chosen for me.

I took His hand when I heard him call;

I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,

To laugh, to love, to work or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way;

I've now found peace at the end of day.

If my parting has left a void,

Then fill it with remembered joys.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss;

Oh yes, these things, I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow

Look for the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life's been full, I savored much;

Good friends, good times, a loved ones touch.

Perhaps my time seems all to brief;

Don't lengthen your pain with undue grief.

Lift up your heart and peace to thee,

God wanted me now-He set me free

Author: Shannon Lee Moseleye