Billie Frances Barnum died Thursday, April 8, 2005 at the hospital in Roswell. She was born August 25, 1925 in Dallas, Texas. She lived most of her life in Beaumont, Texas area. She was married for sixty-three years to Arthur A. Barnum.
He preceded her in death in 1988. Her adored brother Waldrum H. (Wally) Blackshear was killed during the Korean Conflict. She was also preceded in death by her faithful feline companion Thomas. She is survived by sisters, Betty Hall and Lula Gifford both of Dallas; Johnnie Whittington and her husband Paul of Odessa; Wanda Trigg and her husband Al, who Billie considered a “bonus brother” of Roswell and numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 12, 2005 at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Beaumont under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Evan Nelson for his kind compassionate care of Billie through all of her health struggles, as well as his nurses and the Covenent Family Healthcare Center staff. Also, Billie’s “angel” caregiver, Judy Avalar, Robbie Salas and Minnie Garafalo, sometime caregiver and always friends. And Cindy Lewis for her special help during Billie’s final hospital stay. Local arrangements are under the direction of Bethany Anderson Funeral Home and Broussard’s Mortuary in Beaumont.
