Willie Bee (Billie) House Virdell Mitchell, 83, of Plains, Texas, passed away peacefully on Friday, Sept. 16, 2016. She was born Aug. 23, 1933, in Bonnerdale, AR to Wilburn Luther House and Gracie (Small) House.
Although born in Bonnerdale, AR and graduating from high school there at the age of 16, Billie lived most of her life in Texas. Billie was married to Edgar Lee Virdell of Marfa, Texas, who died in 1979, and then to Jym Mitchell of Brady, Texas, who died in 1994. She loved her family and friends and liked working puzzles [crossword and jigsaw], reading, and movies. She loved music, dancing and was a wonderful singer. She was Hudspeth County treasurer, a bank officer, and owned her own dress shop in Brady, as well as helping to run her first husband’s businesses. She also participated in the Order of the Eastern Star, serving as Worthy Matron.
Funeral services for Willie Bee (Billie) House Virdell Mitchell will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016, at Leatherwood Memorial Chapels in Brady with Reverend Phil Steinbach officiating. Interment will follow at Rest Haven Cemetery in Brady. The family will receive friends Saturday from 12 to 1 p.m., prior to the service at Leatherwood Memorial Chapels in Brady. Friends may view and/or sign Billie’s online memorial guestbook at www.leatherwoodmemorialchapels.com.
Billie Mitchell is survived by her sister, Betty Winder of Lubbock, Texas; daughters, Kaye Roberts of Grapevine, Texas and Lynn Gann and husband, Jack of San Marcos, Texas; grandsons, Trey Roberts of Colorado, Ethan Lee Roberts and wife Hailey of San Marcos, Texas, and Clay Gann of Austin, Texas; granddaughter, Rachel Dean of Austin, Texas; numerous nieces and nephews, and beloved companion Randy Gass of Plains, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands; six brothers; three sisters; and son-in-law, Elton Roberts. Special thanks to the staff at Kindred Nursing Home in Grapevine who cared for her for several months after she fell ill. Memorial contributions in memory of Willie Bee (Billie) House Virdell Mitchell may be made to the veteran’s charity of your preference.
