Obituary: Mary Elizabeth ‘Billie’ Monroe

Mary Elizabeth “Billie” Monroe, age 66, a resident of Oliver Springs, passed away Thursday, April 24, 2014, at her home, while surrounded by her family.

Billie was born June 5, 1947 in Oliver Springs. She was a lifelong resident.

She was a homemaker, a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Billie was a practical joker who enjoyed laughter, spending time with her friends and family, singing gospel music, and cooking.

She was a faithful Christian and a member of the Mineral Springs Baptist Church. The love of singing continued throughout her life. While in high school in Oliver Springs, she sang in the high school chorus and she later sang in the church choir.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Vestal Gilmore and Minnie Bunch Gilmore; by a son, Robert William “Bobby” Monroe; and by a brother, Ray Peters.

Billie is survived by her daughters, Laura Lasecki and husband Patrick, of Seffner, Fla., and Frances Sloan and Randy Braden of Lake City; by grandchildren, Shane Monroe, Brittney Monroe, Jacob Monroe, Heather Hawthorne and husband Robert, Whitney Braden and husband Randy, Dakota Sloan, Amber Haber and Kaitlin Haber; and by great-grandchildren, Jasmine Monroe, Ross Monroe, and Jaden Harber.

She is also survived by a brother, Benny Gilmore and wife Janet, of Oliver Springs; by sisters, Carolyn Jones and husband Loy, of Marietta, Ga., Brenda Justice of Oliver Springs, and Darlene Alcorn and husband Burl, of Oliver Springs; by nieces and nephews, Christy Waller, Brandon Alcorn, Bradley Alcorn, Jeremy Justice, and Benny Joe Gilmore.

The family received friends Saturday, April 26, between 6 and 8 p.m. at Sharp Funeral Home. The funeral followed at 8 p.m. in the funeral home chapel, with Rev. Terry Braden and Pastor Allen Crowe officiating. Burial and graveside services will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at Mineral Springs Baptist Church cemetery.

Sharp Funeral Home is serving the Monroe family, and a guest book is available at www.sharpfh.com.