Helen Earline “Billie” Baker Kenesson, 95, of Dallas, Texas, died Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at Faith Presbyterian Hospice Center located in Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas.
Billie was born November 2, 1918, in Groveton, Texas, to Dave and Leila Mae Hinson Baker. She was the fourth of ten children. After her mother’s untimely death in 1936, her father married Ada Collins, who was devoted to his nine children as well as her own five children.
Billie married Thomas Melburn “Ken” Kenesson of Terrell, Texas, on September 1, 1934, in Nacogdoches, Texas. Billie and Ken were married for nearly seventy years until Ken’s passing in May of 2004. They moved to Terrell during World War II and returned to Nacogdoches when the war ended. In 1949, they moved with their four children to Beaumont, Texas, where she resided until moving to Dallas, Texas, to live with her daughter in December of 2011.
While living in Beaumont, Billie was active in the South Park community through the schools her children attended and South Park Baptist Church where she was a member for over sixty years. She also was a Bluebird, Camp Fire, and Cub Scout leader and served on the Camp Fire Girls Council. At South Park Baptist Church, she was a Sunday school training union, and Vacation Bible School teacher, GA leader and director, and active in WMU. She touched the lives of many children and adults through her service.
A gathering of Mrs. Kenesson’s family and friends will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, March 14, 2014, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 15, 2014, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont, with her son-in-law, Reverend Rudy Owen, officiating and Reverend James Blackwell assisting, with a graveside service to follow at Mount Pisgah Cemetery in Woodville, Texas, with her nephew, Reverend Ray Lovett, officiating.
Billie was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Kenesson; her parents, Dave and Leila Baker; sisters, Georgia Walsh, Jimmie Settle, Jackie Arnold, Flickie Grady, Elizabeth Williamson; and her brothers, Dave Baker and W.C. Baker.
She is survived by daughters, Lory Kaye and her husband, Don, of Conroe; Kathy Owen and her husband, Rudy, of Dallas; and Merrye Gratzer and her husband, Bobby, of Katy; son, Thomas Kenesson, Jr. and his wife, Susie, of Corpus Christi; grandchildren, Lyle Kaye and his wife, Kim; Lisa Rome and her husband, Gary; Michelle Gilmore and her husband, Steve; Terry Owen and his wife, Ann; Dawne McKinley; Scott McKinley and his wife, Traci; Shannon Selph and her husband, Spencer; Heather Burgess; Amber Walters and her husband, David; Beau Gratzer and Andy Knight; Rorie Hill and her husband, Derek; and Sean Kenesson; and great-grandchildren, Gareth and Maeve Kaye; Peter Rome; (twins) Gavin and Delaney Gilmore; Dara Owen; Joshua Gamo; Gene and Josh Honrath; Cassie Owen; Sean and Shea Adams; Francesca Fergason; Hailey Burgess; (twins) Dayton and Grady Walters; Brogan and Granger Walters; Ciara Barrera; Carlos Rosas; Jacob Ramirez; and great-great-grandchildren, Ethan Rosas, Maddie Honrath, Elaina Honrath and Elka Honrath.
She is also survived by two sisters, Bettye Platt of Lufkin, and Dorothy Lovett and husband, Raymond, of Beaumont; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Serving as pallbearers will be Lyle Kaye, Scott McKinley, Terry Owen, Beau Gratzer, Sean Kenesson, and Joshua Gamo.
Honorary pallbearers will be Raymond Lovett, Don Kaye, Bobby Gratzer, Gary Rome, Steve Gilmore, David Walters, Andy Knight, Derek Hill, Gareth Kaye, and Carlos Rosas.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to South Park Baptist Church, 795 Woodrow, Beaumont, Texas 77705, or Gideon’s International, P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, Tennessee, 37214.
We want to thank the staff at Town East Rehabilitation and Nursing Care in Mesquite, Texas, the doctors and nurses at Baylor University Medical Center, and Faith Presbyterian Hospice Care in Dallas, Texas.
We will love and miss her “Always.”
