Obituary for Billee Lea Farley Garrett Billee Lea Farley Garrett McKinney, TX Former longtime Springhill resident, Billee Lea Farley Garrett, 96, passed away December 24, 2018, after a lengthy illness in McKinney, Texas. She was born March 6, 1922, in Seadrift, Texas, to parents James William (“Bill”) Farley and Myrtle Smith Farley. Her father was a boat captain, and her mother was a homemaker.
She had a sister, Thelma (“Tae”) Jean Farley and one brother, James William (“Dub”) Farley, Jr She spent her childhood in the Corpus Christi, Texas area, mainly in Aransas Pass. As a teenager, she and her family moved to Waterproof, Louisiana, where she was a cheerleader in high school and a championship tennis player.
After graduation, she became a nursing student at Charity Hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana, where she earned an RN degree in 1943. Her first nursing assignment after graduating was at the Minden Shell Plant near Doyline, Louisiana, where she worked as a first aid nurse in the shop area. While there, she was nominated to be a contestant for “Bond Queen”, as the plant sought to raise money for the war effort.
The contestants were treated to a luncheon with the famous comedian and actor of the day, Bob Hope. Mr. Hope took one look at Billee and barked, “Nurse! Take my temperature!
” This was immediately followed by his pleading, “No, Nurse, take ME! ” Billee went on to win the title of Bond Queen, an event she cherished the rest of her life. It was also at this time that she became the wife of Dr. Joseph Marion Garrett, whom she had met while in training at Charity Hospital.
Following the end of WWII, the couple resided in Cotton Valley, Louisiana, where Dr. Garrett practiced medicine for 13 years. During that time, they had three children, Susan Minnet Garrett, Jean McCall Garrett Turner, and Joseph Marion Garrett, Jr. There, Billee began her role as a loving and devoted wife and mother; a role that continued her entire life. After leaving Cotton Valley, the Garretts spent the next five years in Corpus Christi, Texas, as it had been a longtime dream of Billee’s to return to her childhood home.
They returned to Louisiana to remain in Springhill until 1977, when “Dr. Joe” retired from his practice. At that time, they moved to Plano, Texas, to be near their daughter, Jean, and her family. However, they kept residences in both the Dallas area and Springhill, until 2000.
Billee was recently widowed then, and she moved permanently to McKinney, Texas, to be with her now only surviving child, Jean. Billee and “Dr. Joe” were happily married for 55 years. She leaves behind her daughter, Jean, son-in-law, Claude, grandson Chris and his wife, Kelly, and great granddaughter, Olivia Turner.
She was a longtime member of the United Methodist Church in Springhill, Louisiana, and later, at McKinney UMC in McKinney, Texas. She loved her family, she loved her friends, and most of all she loved her Lord. She served them faithfully throughout her long life.
The family is very grateful for the kindness, loving care, and support of Viven Ijomah, owner of Serein Residential Care Home, her caregivers, Esther, Mary, and Jane, and Amity Hospice. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday, December 29, 2018, at the Springhill Cemetery, Springhill, LA, with Rev. Tim Everett officiating.
Burial will follow under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home. Visitation will be held Saturday, December 29, 2018, from 9:00 am until 9:45 am at the funeral home. Sign our online guest book at www.
baileyfuneralhome.net Bailey Funeral Home Springhill, LA 318-539-3555 To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Billee Lea Farley Garrett please visit our Sympathy Store. Upcoming Events Visitation DEC 29. 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM Bailey Funeral Home – Springhill 304 First Street Northwest Springhill, LA, US, 71075 Order Flowers for the Visitation Guaranteed delivery before Billee’s Visitation begins.
Graveside Service DEC 29. 10:00 AM Springhill Cemetery 600 Cemetery Road Springhill, LA, US, 71075 Order Flowers for the Graveside Service Guaranteed delivery before Billee’s Graveside Service begins.
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