Billie S. McCann

Billie McCann was born on April 7, 1932 in Pampa, Texas to Fred Dixon and Mary Lillian Jackson McCann. She passed away September 1, 2022 surrounded by her friends. After graduating Austin High School in El Paso, Texas, she attended Wayland Baptist College in Plainview where she earned her Bachelor's degree, followed by her Master's degree from Sul Ross University. Billie began her working career as a youth director at a small church in Florida. Having a heart for service, she then joined the Red Cross, her first assignment being a "Donut Dolly" making and serving pastries to the troops. Later, she was assigned to the Supplementary Recreational Activities Overseas (SRAO) division, coordinating and providing entertainment for the troops. Having a love for music, and an angelic voice to match, Billie performed on numerous occasions and was one of the very few women allowed to perform in public in the middle east. During her tenure with the Red Cross, she was deployed to numerous duty stations including France, Turkey, several locations in the middle east and South Korea. While in South Korea, she met her lifelong friend and companion Eva Lee Garvin. After her service with the Red Cross, Billie moved back to El Paso where she taught P.E. and Health, ultimately retiring from the El Paso School District. In her free time, Billie loved singing in Sweet Adelines, traveling with friends, and spending time with her Sunday School Class at St. Paul's United Methodist Church. She recently said, "God has been generous with me". This belief was evident by her positive outlook on life, wonderful sense of humor, and genuine interest in people. Billie is survived by her life-long friend and companion, Eva Lee Garvin, a brother, Fred Jackson McCann (Betty), four nephews, Frank Gantt, Tim Vokes, Fred McCann and Robert McCann, two nieces, Linda Myers and Vicky Schweitzer, and her dear friend Margie Campazano. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, Nona Belle McCann Gantt and Jimmie Ann McCann Vokes, and one nephew, Dwayne Gantt. In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to the American Cancer Society or Wayland Baptist Church, Plainview, Texas. Arrangements were made through Martin Funeral Home, El Paso, Texas. Her Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MartinFuneralHomeEast.com for the McCann family.