Billie J. Brooke (Mansfield)'s Obituary
Billie June Brooke, daughter of James Woodrow Varvil and Chessie Earlene (Kimbrough) Varvil, was born June 28, 1933, in Duncan, Oklahoma. Billie went to her heavenly home on Monday, January 6, 2020, at the age of eighty-six years, six months, and nine days.
Billie’s family moved to Woodlake, California during the depression when she was 3 years old. They attended a Little Holiness Church there. When Billie was 7 years old, she was saved at home while listening to a sermon on the radio. In 1941, Billie’s baby sister, Barbara, was born, and she adored her. At the age of 15, Billie met and fell in love with her lifelong companion, Donald Brooke. While on a church trip on Valentine’s Day (1948), Billie had some Red Hots candy in her pocket and offered some to Don. That was the beginning of their 67-year romance. From that day on, every Valentine’s Day, they gave each other Red Hots. Don and Billie were united in marriage on July 15, 1950, in Ivanhoe, California. “Nana,” as so many called her, had such a strong passion for church and family. She was a loving wife, caring mother, and friend to many. She had a generous and giving spirit and enjoyed doing for others. She loved spending time with her family, often fixing meals for them as her way of spending quality time with them. Along with her love of cooking, Billie was an avid reader and she enjoyed sewing. She made over 35 quilts for her family and friends last year! But to those who knew her best, they would say her most defining quality was her faith and devotion to her Heavenly Father. Billie was a true prayer warrior, who believed nothing was too big or small to take to God in prayer. She instilled this belief in her family who gather here today, to honor the mother and grandmother they so dearly loved. In addition to her parents, Billie was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; sister, Barbara; and her brother-in-law, Delwin Wood. Billie is survived by her son, Mike Brooke of Ozark; son, Brad Brooke and wife, Janet, of Mansfield; daughter, Robin Calhoun and husband, Don, of Mansfield; and daughter, Amy Brooke of Bellevue, Washington; grandchildren, Kristin Quick and husband, Joe; Adam Brooke and wife, Tessa; Stephanie Lansdown and husband, Darron; Erin Greene and husband, Gary; Cara Zumwalt and husband, Jason; Nick Brooke and wife, Sydni; and Jason Brooke and wife, Janisha; great-grandchildren, Tyler, Nathan, Natalie, Lydia, Karsyn, Chloe, Avery, Spencer, Sydnee, Sadee, Hailey, Taylor, Kadyn, Paige, Savannah, Jake, Delia, Elwyn, and Addie. Billie is leaving a void in our hearts, but we are rejoicing that she has gone home and has left a legacy.
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