A wonderful wife and mother, Doris "Louise" Billeter-Carmack was born on November 14, 1929, in Charlotte, N. Carolina. She grew up to be a petite, soft-spoken and gentle lady who was known for her dedication toward her children's education, cooking (everything from chicken and dumplings to cobblers), plus keeping both home and kids clean & tidy; expectations typical of a 1950's housewife...and she did it with dignity & love.
In 1949 she married Donald "Don" Everette Billeter and they had two children, Steve ('51) born in Phoenix, Arizona and Rebecca ('52) born in Charlotte, N. Carolina; shortly thereafter the family returned to Arizona. During the late '50's and early '60's they repeatedly relocated from Arizona to California, finally settling in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1964. Following a short illness, Don Billeter passed away in 1972. In 1975 Louise found love again upon meeting Harold "Hal" Carmack and, shortly thereafter, relocated to Carson City, Nevada. In 1978 she married Hal Carmack in Virginia City, Nevada at the Bucket of Blood Saloon with her son Steve Billeter being a nervous Best Man.
Hal and Louise had a wonderful life of 36 years together until his passing in 2014. They loved road trips in their Miata roadster, dancing, and lunch at the Carson Nugget. It was during those years that Louise became quite a football fan and was especially devoted to the Former Oakland Raiders (Currently the Las Vegas Raiders). For years, she led petition drives and letter-writing campaigns to get Quarterback Jim Plunkett inducted into the Football Hall of Fame....She's probably lobbying for it at this moment!
Raised in the "Jim Crow" south of the 30's-40', Louise, developed a generous heart and grew to embrace all people, regardless of race or nationality. Before the words were spoken, Louise taught her children to embody Martin Luther King, Jr’s admonition to see beyond the color of one’s skin and embrace the content of their character. And, by example, Louise taught her children to build multi-cultural bridges rather erect self-isolating walls; lessons we have lived with throughout our lives...and we're so much richer for it. We thank you, Mom!
Thus, we feel it only appropriate that, with sadness, our dear mother, Louise quietly passed away on Monday, January 20, 2020 – MLK, Jr. Day.
Louise Carmack is survived by: Son, Steve Billeter (Martha Lou); Stepson, Steve Carmack; Rebecca Belinsky (Jim), Daughter; Robert Joseph Belinsky, Grandson; Pamala Pugh (Bob), Stepdaughter, plus several great-grandchildren & many great-nieces & nephews.
Steve and Martha Lou Billeter, due to compromised health & distance, extend their sincere appreciation to Steve Carmack for lovingly supporting "our" mother through her fading years following his father, Hal Carmack's passing in 2014.
In Mom’s memory, donations may be made to: The American Indian College Fund athttps://collegefund.org/. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled for later this year.
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