Obituary
Billie Jean Newman, loving wife, mother, grandmother,
and great grandmother, passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 13, 2024, in
the hospital in Brandon, Florida at the age of 92. Billie Jean was born on
November 3, 1931, to James and Lillie Beecher Trimble in Paintsville, Kentucky.
She was of the Baptist faith. She and her sister Ernestine graduated together
from Paintsville High School in 1950. Billie Jean met her future husband, Earl,
when they attended Mayo Vocational School. They married on February 25,1956, on
Earl’s 25th birthday. They moved to Mansfield, Ohio, in 1968 and
later lived in Natchez, Mississippi; Owensboro, Kentucky; Daytona Beach,
Florida; and Seffner, Florida. Their favorite family pastime throughout the years
was houseboating.
Billie Jean is survived by her devoted husband of 68
years, Earl Newman. She is also survived by her two children, Anita Mason and
Greg (Carla) Newman; three grandchildren, Breinn (Mike) Buehner, Bryan
(Lindsey) Newman, and Mara (Ben) Mann; and six great grandchildren, Samantha
Buehner, Lincoln Mann, Finn Newman, McKinleigh Mann, Gabrielle Buehner, and
Callie Newman. Her nieces Donna (Terry) Russell, Kelsey (Clayton) Harmon, and
Kristen Cook survive her as well. Billie Jean is preceded in death by her
parents and sister, and her son-in-law Edward Mason.
Billie Jean was dedicated to her family and that was
where she found her joy. She was affectionately called Grammy or Grambo. She
loved keeping in touch with friends and she enjoyed talking on the phone. She
had an extensive collection of lighthouses which was fitting since she lit up
the world with her smile and positive attitude. She was generous and loving and
understanding with everyone she met. Billie Jean’s love of her family and
friends will be her legacy. She will be deeply missed.
A
funeral service is scheduled for Saturday, July 27, 2024, at 1:00pm at Serenity
Meadows Funeral Home, 6919 Providence Road, Riverview, FL 33579. There will be
no graveside service.