Billie Thomas

Billie Jean Thomas Obituary

Billie Jean Kelley went to be with her Lord on January 19, 2022. She was 86 years old, born November 7, 1935, in Haskell, Texas to Esto and Golda Kelley.

Billie Jean graduated from high school in Lorenzo, Texas in 1953. She moved to Amarillo, Texas in 1955. Her main passion was playing the piano. She has always played the piano since she was a little girl and gave piano lessons and for many years, she was the pianist and organist for her church, Bell Avenue Baptist. Even when rheumatoid arthritis disfigured her hands she still enjoyed playing as best she could.

Billie Jean worked for Diamond Shamrock as an Administrative Assistant in Amarillo, Texas. Her job transferred her to Diamond Shamrock located in Dallas and so she and her husband, Walter Thomas, moved to Arlington, Texas, where she worked until retiring to Holly Lake Ranch. But they could not stay away from Amarillo and eventually they moved back. Billie moved to Rockport, Texas in May 2021. She promptly visited First Baptist Church of Rockport and introduced herself to Pastor Scott and said, “I want to join this Church family.” And she did. In her short time in Rockport, Billie was blessed to have made many good friends. She loved living in Rockport. She enjoyed the palm trees, the water that “glistened like diamonds”, the warm weather and getting to play 42.

Billie Jean was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Walter Thomas. She leaves behind a loving family: one daughter, Valarie Nowell, husband Rodney of Rockport, Texas; one son, Kelley Shaw, wife Karen of Amarillo, Texas; four grandchildren, Kelley Ellenberger, wife Veronica of Glen Rose, Texas; Madeline Shaw of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Michelle Nowell husband Andy and Michael Nowell wife Malinda both of Weatherford, Texas; 7 great grandchildren and one great great grandson. Billie Jean leaves behind a loving brother, Delton Kelley and one nephew, Benton Kelley wife Barbara and one niece, Dana Jacobson husband Allen all of Grapevine, Texas.