Lucille Halyburton Billings

She was born September 4, 1905, in Iredell County and was the daughter of the late Thomas “Tom” Merony and Mary Tula Guy Halyburton. She was a 1925 graduate of Scotts High School and received her higher education from Appalachian State University, Catawba College, and Lenior-Rhyne College. In 1926, she began her teaching career at Taylor Spring School followed by four years at Union Grove School where she met her future husband. She and her husband then taught in Gastonia for four years before returning to teach at Scotts School. She was a much loved elementary school teacher for 29 years who touched the lives of many children in the community up until her retirement from teaching at Scotts Elementary School in 1967. In honor of her 105th birthday, the fourth and fifth grade hall was named for her. She was the oldest school teacher retiree in Iredell County and the oldest alumni member of the Scotts high School Alumni Association.

She always professed a strong love of God and was a faithful member at New Amity ARP Church and later New Sterling ARP Church where she was the oldest member. Not only was she an excellent school teacher, she also taught adult women’s Sunday school classes at both churches. She was teacher of the Eula Pressley Bible Class and Bible study teacher for the Golden Christian Circle at New Sterling ARP Church.

Her favorite activity was knitting and shared her talent with children at The Dove House Children’s Advocacy Center, her loved ones, shut-ins, and needy ones in her community. This was a talent she continued until a few months prior to her death.

She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and her greatest pleasure in life was time spent with her family. She was devoted to her daughter, son-in-law, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to whom she was known as “Grammy.” They all treasure time spent with her and hold many wonderful memories of her unconditional love, spiritual influence and humor.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death on July 16, 1993, by her husband of 63 years, Ernest F. Billings, whom she married on November 30, 1930; three brothers, John, Earl and Paul Halyburton; and four sisters, Elizabeth Bailey, Elsie Whitson, Mozelle Lackey Moose, and Louise Scott Brown.

Lucille leaves behind to cherish her memory, a daughter and son-in-law, Camille and David Simmons of Kernersville; a grandson, Kent Martin of Winston-Salem; a granddaughter, Meredith DiCostanzo (Joe) of Negishi, Japan; two great-grandsons, Kent and Zachary DiCostanzo; a brother, William Halyburton of Shelby; a sister, Katherine Demas of Coral Gables, FL and Roanoke, VA; a former son-in-law, Richard Martin; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services celebrating Mrs. Billings’ life will be held 11:00 AM Friday at New Sterling ARP Church in Stony Point with Dr. Earl Linderman and the Rev. Tim Watson officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will speak with friends at the church immediately following the service.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com.

For those who prefer, memorial contributions may be made to New Sterling ARP Church, 580 New Sterling Road, Stony Point, NC 28678; or Hospice and Palliative Care of Forsyth County, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.

Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.