Billie Brewton English, 83, passed away Wednesday, March 18, 2009, at her home in Beaumont after an extended illness. She was born January 23, 1926 in Ardmore, Oklahoma to Joseph and Bessie Eaves Brewton. As an infant the family moved to West Monroe, Louisiana. In 1943, she entered the Nursing School at Touro Infirmary in New Orleans, Louisiana, and also was inducted into the United States Nurse Corps in New Orleans in 1943 and served until the war ended in 1945. In 1948 she moved to Beaumont with her first husband, Dr. L.M. Williams, where they started their family.
Her parents; husband, Dr. Jessie English; her sister, Lois; her brother, J.D.; one granddaughter, Caitlin Williams; and her step-son, Matt English preceded her in death.
She resumed her nursing career in 1973 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, where she retired in 1984 and married the love of her life, Dr. Jessie L. English. She joined St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in 1987 where she actively worked on various church committees, joined Presbyterian Women, Circle 2 and became a Deacon until she became ill. She enjoyed having two families, fishing, hunting, and traveling the back roads with her husband, Jessie.
Surviving her are her son, Mark Williams and his wife Lynn of The Woodlands; her daughters, Charlotte Wishard of Tomball, Laurin Morgan-Greb and her husband Robert of Port Bolivar, Randy McGowan of Galveston and Nancy Newsom and her husband Richard of Marathon; nephew, Sonny DeLoach and his wife Aulsine of Maybank; grandchildren, Matthew Williams, Beth Williams, Jessica Miller, and Kristin Trask; step-children, Jessie English and his wife Kathy, and their children, Lawrence, Kate, and Ellis English; Francis English, and one great grandson, Asher Williams; and many Williams, Hager and Lupton nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend their thanks to Odyssey Hospice Care. The family especially thanks Courtney Grogan and Krystal Rayford, who provided love and care to her during the last few months.
Her funeral service will be 3:30 p.m. Monday, March 23, 2009 at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church with burial to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A gathering of her family and friends will be from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Sunday, March 22, 2009 and beginning at 2:30 p.m. Monday afternoon prior to the service at the church.
The family has requested that in lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Memorial Garden, 1350 North 23rd Street, Beaumont, Texas 77706 or to a charity of your choice.
