Obituary of Billie D. Lewis

Billie Dale Yoes Dowden Lewis, age 81, of Abilene, TX, passed away on December 25, 2014, after a short illness. A graveside service will be held on Sunday, December 28, 2014, 2:00 pm at City Cemetery in Overton, TX under the direction of Cottle-Pearson Funeral Home, Overton. Billie was known to many as a friend, Momma, Sis; however, the name she cherished most of all was “Bama.” Unsure of what to call her beloved grandmother, Billie’s first grandchild combined “Billie” and “Momma” to make “Bama.” And she’s been “Bama” to countless children and adults alike for over forty years now. Billie was born on February 11, 1933, at Turnertown, TX to William and Ella (Gray) Yoes. She was one of five sisters: Novella, Wanda, Dorothy, Billie, and Delores. A brother, David Yoes, died at birth. Billie attended school at New London, TX where she met George Dowden. The couple dated, and later married on September 2, 1950 at the Overton, TX Church of Christ. Billie and George were blessed with five children: Darla, Douglas, Gregory, who died at birth, Jinjer, and Derek. The couple lived in Overton, Tyler, San Angelo, Midland, and Tatum, NM, before settling in Stanton, TX where George worked for Enserch Exploration and Billie as a dental receptionist. They were members of the Belvue Church of Christ in Stanton. George passed away in 1998, and Billie relocated to Roby, TX to be near her children, where she became a member of the Church of Christ in Roby. Billie married the second love of her life, William (Bill) Lewis, of Midland, Texas on October 7, 2011 at The Roby Church of Christ. Billie and Bill were 78 and 83 years young, respectively. Their courtship involved singing hymns and reading the Bible together over the telephone. They were members of Fairmont Church of Christ in Midland before moving to Abilene, TX where they were members of the Hillcrest Church of Christ. Billie was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, her husband, George, a son, Gregory, and a daughter, Jinjer Dowden Wolf. She was also preceded in death by her sisters and their spouses: Novella Yoes Jones and husband I.W.; Wanda Yoes Smith and husband Alvin, and Dorothy Yoes Sparks, and husband Donald. Billie is survived by her husband, William (Bill) Lewis, of Abilene. She is also survived by her children: Darla Dowden Casella and husband, Robert, of Abilene; Douglas Dowden and Juanie, of Arlington; and Derek Dowden and wife, Tonya, of Roby. Grandchildren surviving their beloved Bama are: Carmen Casella McElwain, and husband Tim, of Plano; Robin Casella of Plano and fiancé, Eric Moss of Carrollton, Amanda Dowden Brannon of Abilene, Douglas (Buddy) Dowden, Jr. and wife, Lindye, of Abilene; Alana Dowden of Arlington; James Wolf and fiancé, Taylor of Midland, Jade Dowden Crawford, and husband David, of Sylvester, and Sterling Dowden of Roby. Bama also is survived by six great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Additional survivors include her beloved sister, Delores of Longview and special friend, William (Bill) Bennard of Longview, plus several nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to your favorite Christian Children’s home.