Virginia Lee Billings

Virginia Lee Frasier Billings, age 91, was surrounded by love and admiration when she went to be with her Heavenly Father on December 4, 2024. Virginia was born in Commerce, Texas, on October 16, 1933. She was a wonderful daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her sense of adventure led to many fun and interesting experiences during her years of traveling around the U.S. and abroad. Virginia’s steadiness, patience, love, and steadfast faith in God was an inspiration to all who knew her. Virginia worked in her early years as a pianist at a funeral home and also played for a Sunday morning radio church service. She later was a telegrapher and a typist for an insurance company. In 1969, she began working with her husband, M.R. Billings, Jr., as a bookkeeper and taught herself how to keep books for their new business, Billings Tire Co., Inc. After her husband's death in 1994, she continued to work with her son Jeff until August 2022. Virginia enjoyed working next to her husband and son, and she took joy in watching the business grow. One of her gifts for over 25 years was that she rarely failed to make brownies every Friday, bringing them to the store for everyone to enjoy. Many customers would make a point to come on Fridays just so they could have one. Her presence had a meaningful influence on everyone who was a part of daily business operations. She made everyone around her want to be a better person. Her firm faith in God was continually reflected in her patience, love, and dedication to her friends and family, especially her 3 children. She set such a kind example as one who loves others as she treated everyone she met with the same compassion and humility no matter who they were. She exemplified a true lady and will be missed. She was preceded in death by her parents, William Alfred and Carrie Edith Spangler Frasier, and her husband Mervin Ralph Billings, Jr. She is survived by her brother, Michael Earl (Mike) Frasier (Paula) of Cedar Hill, TX; children, Mervin Ralph (Butch) Billings III (Denise) of Katy, TX; Deborah Kay (Deb) Billings of Elgin, TX; and William Jeffery (Jeff) Billings (Angie) of Tyler. She will also be missed by her 4 grandchildren, CMC Ryan Nicholas Doss, USCG (Lt. Kalyn, USCG) of Juneau, Alaska; Michael Benjamin Blythe of Midvale, Utah; Jesus Christopher Joel Blythe of Elgin, TX; and Blake Cole Billings (Mallory) of Manhattan, Kansas; and by her 10 great grandchildren, Jaden Blythe; Noah Blythe; Serena Blythe; Chloe Blythe; Grayson Blythe; Lauren Porlier; Kyleigh Porlier; MK3 Aiden Porlier, USCG; Smith Robinson Billings; and Perry Jane Billings. Honorary pallbearers will be Roland Pritchard, Henry Ford, Rev. Nick Sholars, Ryan Doss, Blake Billings, Larry Cockrum, Larry Coberly, and Roy Campbell. The family wishes to thank everyone who was a part of the exceptional care she received, including the staff of Prestige Estates Assisted Living, Paloma Hospice, and Elizabeth Muris. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the M.R. Billings, Jr. Business Scholarship Endowment of UT Tyler www.uttyler.edu/give/ and mention M. R . Billings, Jr. as the gift designation or the Salvation Army. http://give.salvationarmy.org A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 12:30 p.m., at Stewart Family Funeral Home in Tyler.

Virginia Lee Billings

October 16, 1933 - December 4, 2024