Billie Harris

Billie Louise Suggs Harris Born: December 10, 1924 in Ardmore, Oklahoma. Called home to be with the Lord Jesus on June 7 , 2009 The Woodlands, Texas. The daughter of Charles and Ruby Coin Suggs, Billie and her parents moved to Houston in 1929. Even so, she would spend a few weeks in the summer with her grandmother "Bawkie" in Thorndale, Texas. Around 1941 she met a 17 year old boy while she was riding bicycles with her girlfriends. Raymond Harris answered the call of his country to fight Hitler when Billie was just becoming curious of this Denver Harbor boy. She received regular letters from Raymond while he was in Basic Training in Fort Bowie Texas, learning more and more of him. She later graduated in 1942 from Houston''s east side Stephen F. Austin high school where she lettered in tennis and basketball. After graduating, during WWII she went to work for Ma Bell as a long distance operator, and all the while Ray''s letters continued to arrive in Houston at her parent''s home, describing his training, his dreams, his fears, and his profound interest in her. Short furloughs would allow her a chance to meet with this writer of letters, to see if any truth was in the words he penciled her. Raymond was shipped overseas in 1943.His letters still arrived, more urgency, more determination, and more dreams of a life the couple could and hopefully would spend when this horrible war was over. Billie was falling in love, real love, love that lasts a lifetime with this boy-man so far away. Although, Ray''s letters were becoming more infrequent, many written in the drivers seat of his tank destroyer somewhere in France, or Italy, or Germany, they still came. They tell of a man looking for purpose in his life and recognizing Billie would be key in finding this purpose. Indeed Billie helped Ray have purpose in his life with her promise of waiting for him and helping him with his dreams. Ray joined the Army as a kid looking for excitement, loving booze and gambling but God and Billie were at work helping him become a man, a real man. Hard years of separation passed, but in 1946 Billie and Ray realized their dreams and married in Houston, Texas. They had their first baby girl , Rae Ann in 1948. In 1950, Ray, Billie and daughter Rae Ann moved from Houston to Pasadena, Texas, and had another daughter, Sharon in 1951, and a son, Geoffrey in 1956. Billie had left the phone company when her first daughter was born to provide her children and husband a warm, secure, and settled home life. She would augment the household budget providing custom seamstress work for her friends and neighbors. When Ray eventually entered the ministry as a pastor, he lead many folks to the Lord''s salvation. Billie was used mightily by God to change Ray''s heart early in his life , so that Ray would be able to lead those souls to Jesus. Ray and Billie lived in Pasadena for 30 years and called Thomas Avenue Baptist their church home when Ray was not pastoring small churches. Billie worked with the ladies of the WMU and their mission activities and also made sure her children were in their place at church when the doors were opened. Billie''s father Charles passed away in 1981 enabling Billie and Ray to retire to her father''s home in Chappell Hill, Texas. They lived in Chappell Hill for 20+ years till God called Ray home May 14, 2008 after 62 years of marriage. Billie was a Mom who believed in mental and physical toughness, and did not suffer much boyish foolishness. A certain son of hers often sought the safety of his father while his Mother was bringing his just recompense! But she loved her family fiercely as the Pasadena dog catcher learned on many occasions and God help the man that dared to criticize her husband, ever. This was the same woman who would hold impromptu pb&j picnics in the backyard under the sycamores, sew till her hands were sore to buy a bike for her kid, or to create a wedding gown, and stretch a meager food budget in many resourceful and imaginative ways. Billie also loved music and her ever present clock radio in her bedroom passed that love down to her children. Billie''s accomplishments were the stuff eternity is made of, and I just wish I could see the reunions taking place in that eternity as I type this inadequate summation of a beautiful, strong, intelligent and loving woman''s life. Faithful wife and mother Billie Louise Suggs Harris. She has been preceded in death by Husband – Raymond K. Harris Parents – Charles and Ruby Suggs Daughter – Rae Ann and her husband Jim Markum Survived by Brother – Robert and his wife Barbara Suggs Daughter – Sharon Dietrich and her husband Greg Son – Geoffrey Harris and his wife Diana Grandsons – Jonathan Markum and his wife Kara; Christopher Dietrich and his wife Ryan; Joshua Harris and his wife Rebecca Granddaughters – Stephanie Neuffer, Lucy McClain and her husband Bryan Great-granddaughters – Cody Dietrich, Hannah Neuffer Great-grandsons – Harlan Dietrich , Colton Markum O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? I Corinthians 15:55