Billie Jean Kennedy passed away peacefully on December 7^th surrounded by her loved ones at the delightful age of 104.5 years old.

For Billie, passing into eternity meant a promotion to be face-to-face with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As a life-long student of the word of God, Billie had total confidence in the certainty of her future in heaven. She knew it was not by good works or what she might have done, but by the grace of God that she was saved by faith alone, in Christ alone.

Billie was preceded in death by her devoted husband Raymond of 69 years, her sister Sylvia, brother Joe, and great-granddaughter Madelyn Pierce. She leaves behind to cherish her memory her son Steve Kennedy, daughter-in-law Mary Lee, five grandchildren Cherie, Amy, Matthew, Marty, and Hannah, and 8 great-grandchildren.

Billie was born May 21, 1920, in Huntsville, Alabama to parents Will Cotton and Nell Yaekey.  Billie grew up in Decherd, Tennessee, and received a seminary degree from Tennessee Temple. Upon graduating, she and Raymond heard the call to serve the Lord as missionaries to Atikokan, Ontario for 11 years, where they founded the first Baptist church.
Upon returning to the States, they settled in Winchester, Tennessee where Raymond served as a pastor for an additional 13 years. They moved to Houston to be near their grandchildren and continued to serve in their local churches.

Billie was an accomplished artist and Christian chalk artist who ministered to congregations large and small throughout her lifetime. She will be remembered for the unreserved love she poured out to every person she met and for always giving Christ the glory in all circumstances throughout her life.

In her honor, a celebration of life will be held at Nassau Bay Baptist Church (18131 Nassau Bay Drive, Houston, TX 77058), on Saturday, December 21, 2024. Viewing will be at 11:00 am followed by a service at 12:00 pm then concluded by burial at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery, Dickinson, TX.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Nassau Bay Baptist Church Missions. If giving online, nbbchurch.org, select “Other Gifts” – Specify “In memory of Billie Kennedy”.