Billie L. Rawls

Billie Rawls passed away peacefully from this life into the arms of our Heavenly Father on December 30, 2024 at 11:12 PM surrounded by her daughters Diane and Janice.

Billie was the middle child born to Floyd and Naomi Cleveland on April 1, 1930. Her sisters, Ramona Handley and Gloria Watson preceded her in death, as well as her parents. She was raised in Manhattan and graduated with honors from Central Commercial H.S. on East 42nd. Street, Manhattan. She worked for a lawyer for a few years and during that period of her life she enjoyed dancing, movies and card games with her sisters and their group of friends. She met and eventually married the love of her life, Bert Revel Rawls on February 18, 1951. To this union four children were born, whom she loved with all her heart. They lived in Throggs Neck, The Bronx for eleven years before relocating to Staten Island, where they settled in the West New Brighton Houses in 1962.

Billie became active in her community. She was very outgoing, and made friends quickly. She was PTA President and was an active participant in all her children’s activities. She also became a Girl Scout Leader and helped many girls develop organization and leadership skills. She enjoyed reading, singing and dancing. Billie loved gathering with her family and playing pinochle on any given Saturday, going to church, cooking delicious Sunday dinners and baking cakes to enjoy a nightly dessert. She took her girls to museums, ice skating and the yearly Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall.

Billie was coordinator for the Board of Education’s Adult Night School program at I.S.27 prior to being hired as head secretary at the New York City Housing Authority Office in New Brighton and retired in 1993 after 21 years of service.

Mom created a loving home, and was devoted to her husband, her children, her family and her church. She was everyone’s mother! She would give advice or just listen to anyone that requested her ear. Her home was open to everyone and was always filled with people, her family, and friends and many of her children’s friends. Mom had an answer to give on any topic, to anyone, at any time. She was the smartest woman we knew and we always tried to get her on a game show, because she knew all the answers.

Billie was a faithful member of Faith United Methodist Church for 62 years, where she was a Sunday School Teacher, mission’s leader and auditor. She was a strong willed, independent, and God fearing woman. She instilled the importance of having faith in God, and instilled that faith for a foundation in her children. She would always say, “God the Father”, “God the Son”, and “God the Holy Spirit’, through Jesus Christ, Praise Him! Her faith in God is the legacy she leaves behind. Her husband, Bert Revel, son, William Bert II, and daughter Patricia Ellen preceded her in death.

Billie’s life was well lived and she will always be loved. We will cherish the fond memories we all had with her, and keep her memory alive with stories she loved to tell.

She leaves to mourn in profound sorrow, her daughters, Diane Squires, and Janice Morales. Two sons-in-law, Lester Squires, Jr., who affectionately called her “Moms”, and Ruben Morales. Five Grandchildren and their spouses: Kevin & (Malaynee) Squires, Kymberlie & (Neil) DeAngelis, Kendall & (Leilah) Squires, Phylicia Rawls & (Alex Morales), and Ronaldo Morales, her little miracle. Her beloved sisters, and sister in-law’s children, Joseph & (Shirley) Hickman, Jack & (Jessie) Handley, Debra Jones, Ramona April Handley, and Connie & (Keith) Hanley. Eight Great-grandchildren, Alyssa, Kyla, Essence, Esaias, Jayden, Keelan, Novah and Kodi. One Great-Great-granddaughter, Layilah and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends who will miss her dearly.