Mrs. Billie Doris Gilreath Asbury, 93, of Woodbury, Tennessee went on to be with the Lord on Monday, September 25, 2023. She was born in Detroit, Michigan on Saturday, March 8, 1930. Preceding her in death were her husband, George R. Asbury; parents, Homer and Wallee Hollandsworth Gilreath; brother, Jerry Gilreath; and son-in-law, Stanley Honeycutt.
She is survived by her children, Bobby (Peggy) Snipes of Woodbury, Fred (Deloris) Snipes of Centertown, Bo (Michele) Asbury of Woodbury, Debbie Honeycutt of Spruce Pine, NC, Sandy (Scott) Kampes of Forrest Hills, MD, and Leah (Dryden) Kailiponi of Woodbury; brother, David (Delores) Gilreath of Franklin; 12 grandchildren; and 15 great grandchildren.
You might know Billie from her time playing on the Auburn High School basketball team and her photo ops in the Cannon County history books. However, her life was one of service through various capacities.
Most of her working life centered around serving customers, whether it was convenience stores or restaurants. She even owned a business in Oklahoma called the Daylight Donut Shop. Then, coming back to Woodbury, she took on working at the Shirt Factory and various retail stores.
After surrendering her life to the Lord, her jobs became opportunities to tell people about Jesus and serve Him. She spent time in prayer, reading the Word, and sharing the Gospel. She even had her own guardian, Angel the parakeet.
Owning a bird may not be something that comes as a shock to anyone that knew Billie. She had a vibrancy about life that she demonstrated through multicolored clothing, the most beautiful landscaped flowers you ever saw, and the twinkle in her eye. It really was the little things for Billie that brought a smile to her face.
The most important things to her were faith and family. Rather than worrying about the things of this world, she focused on the treasures that she had. She had a healthy prayer life and worn out Bibles. She had a loving family and faithful friends. She had the things of this world that money can’t buy.
Her rich blessings in the things that truly matter in life were the secret behind her zest. That is why Billie longed to be outside in her flowers, to be with her family, to be at church, and really to be anywhere in communion with God and His creation. She knew her Creator, and now, she is strolling the streets of gold with her family that arrived before her and her Savior.
Visitation will be held at Gentry-Smith Funeral Home on Thursday, September 28, 2023 from 10 am – 2 pm. Funeral services will follow Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 2 pm in the Gentry-Smith Funeral Home chapel. Marty Cooper will officiate. Interment will be in Gilreath Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Society.
Share memories and condolences at www.gentrysmithfuneralhome.com Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337 Because every life has a story