Jean Billingsley

Jean Billingsley was born as Jean Camster on March 19, 1929, in Dallas, Texas. She was the second child of Robert and Ada Camster. She spent her early childhood years in Paris, Texas. She then moved with her family to Waxahachie, Texas after her mother accepted a teaching position at the Texas Baptist Home for Children. Jean spent her teenage years in Waxahachie, where she graduated from Waxahachie High School. In 1946, while walking down the street with her cousin, a chance encounter changed her life. On that day, a young gentleman pulled over and offered Jean and her cousin a ride. That young gentleman was James M. Billingsley, who had been born and raised in Ovilla and had recently completed his service in the Navy during the Second World War. A courtship ensued, and Jean married James on January 30, 1948. They lived in Waxahachie for a while after marrying, during which time Jean worked at Carlisle Chevrolet. A short while later, they moved to the family farm in Ovilla where they raised three children: two daughters and a son. Jean was a loving wife, devoted mother, loyal friend, and proud homemaker. Her greatest joys in life were her family and her faith. She was active in two churches: Farley Street Baptist Church in Waxahachie and Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Ovilla. Jean passed away on July 16, 2015, at the age of 86. She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, and her beloved husband James. She is survived by her children, Cathy Headley of Carrollton, Texas, Sheila Billingsley of Arlington, Virginia, and James H. Billingsley of Dallas, Texas, along with four grandsons, Greg Headley of Austin, Texas, Chris Headley of Dallas, Texas, Zachary Yellin of Arlington, Virginia, and Ben Yellin of Raleigh, North Carolina, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cherished friends. Jean's final years were filled with the joy of family, her friends from church, and the weekly visits from her beloved therapy dogs. Because of this, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to either Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church (www.shilohcpc.org), 7810 Shiloh Road, Ovilla, Texas 76065, or to Heart of Texas Therapy Dogs, 2125 Sheraton Drive, Carrollton, TX 75007 (www.hotthdogs.org). A memorial service will be held in August. A location and time will be announced very soon.