Billye Vickers, of Beaumont, died Monday, July 6, 2015. She was born, in Stephenville, to Myrtle Maxwell and Dave Stephens. At ten, she sang every Saturday on a program similar to the Grand Ole Opry. It was at that age that she sang with the Crazy Water Crystal Band in Mineral Wells. After she graduated from Stephenville High School, she came to Beaumont to attend Chenier Business School in lieu of pursuing a singing career. While attending Chenier, she applied for a part time job at American Service Company, and her boss was a young man who had just returned from the service.

Billye tried to match this young man up with her roommate, but she ended up marrying him herself, and to this marriage an angelic daughter, Martha Ruth, was born. Billye decided that she like Jimmie better as her husband than her boss, and she went to work for Binswanger Glass Company. It was her intention to work only one year to help pay some bills off, but she stayed thirty-six years.

She became a member of Women in Construction and served as president for two years and regional director one year. Jimmie went to Houston to have heart surgery and at that time, they became acquainted about Mended Hearts, and organization to help people who just had heart surgery. They came back to Beaumont and along with Cook Lindsey of Port Arthur, started a chapter of Mended Hearts. Billye later served as secretary, newsletter editor, and president for two years. Since she was president of Mended Hearts, she served on the local board of the American Heart Association and served as president for two years.

After Billye retired, she devoted herself to her husband and daughter. Traveling was one thing the family really enjoyed and one of their travels took them to the Super Bowl. Billye and Martha Ruth decided to join Jimmie as a Dallas Cowboys fan or else leave him. Her family was very close and being together was fun. Billye enjoyed decorating and at Amelia Baptist, she decorated for fellowships, weddings, baby and bridal showers, and receptions. She became well known for the beauty of their sanctuary at the Christmas Candle Light Service. Billye always enjoyed church missions and served as director of Wesley United Methodist Church. Her Sunday school class and Martha Ruth’s Fellowship class always meant a lot to her, and she served as outreach director and secretary. Billye worked at the Beaumont Police Station at Parkdale Mall as a volunteer and enjoyed calling the homebound to see if they were all right. She felt very close to the ladies that worked there.

Survivors include two friends that have been like daughters to her, Patty Gillespie and Carol Hettinger; a friend that was like a grandson, Brian Gillespie; a nephew that was like a son, David Callender; and niece, Becky Williams; numerous nieces and nephews; a sister-in-law; all her wonderful friends at Amelia Baptist Church; and all the wonderful caregivers including, Lena Living, Elsie Benson, Mary Darby, and Kathy Simms.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jimmie Vickers; her only daughter, Martha Ruth Vickers; five sisters; and one brother.

She would like to thank Dr. Ralph Thompson, her pastor who has always been there for her, Dr. Jay Proctor, and the staff at Beaumont Family Practice.

A gathering of Mrs. Vickers’ family and friends will be from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Thursday, July 9, 2015, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 10, 2015, at Broussard’s, with interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Southeast Texas, P.O. Box 1629, Beaumont, Texas 77704.