Living

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Living
2. Living

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Billy married Helen Judene "Judy" Kimmey on 7 Mar 1953 in Jasper, Jasper County, Texas. Helen was born on 30 Aug 1935 in Livingston, Polk County, Texas; died on 9 May 2023 in Copperas Cove, Coryell County, Texas; was buried in Zion Hill Cemetery, Jasper, Jasper County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Helen J. McLemore, 87, of Copperas Cove, Texas, formerly of the Erin-Zion Hill community, died Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at her home in Copperas Cove.

Helen was born August 30, 1935 in Livingston, Texas to Preston Kimmey and Lillie (Griggs) Kimmey. She was a retired Tax Preparer for H and R Block and had lived in Copperas Cove 17 years.

Funeral service will be 11:00 am Tuesday, May 16, at Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church with burial at Zion Hill Cemetery under the direction of Adams EE Stringer Funeral Home in Kirbyville. Visitation will be from 4-7 pm Monday at the church.

She is survived by her sisters, Clairice Chapman and Janell Conner; children, Michael McLemore and spouse Theresa, Debra Hardison and spouse Don, Brenda LaComb and spouse Brian; 8 grandchildren, Michael McLemore, Jr., Crystal Thomas and spouse David, Leigh Belschner and spouse Jeremy, Keri White and spouse Nathan, Jennifer Henagar and spouse Chris, Jonathan LaComb, Justin Hardison and spouse Marisa, Eric Polanco; 16 great grandchildren, Trevor, Garrett, Austin, Hunter, Garrison, Taylor, Molly, Adalyn, Ashlee, Haegan, Collin, Callan, Gannon, Malachi, Elijah and Halle.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Billy McLemore, and daughters Deann and Mary Helen.

The family requests donations be made to Baylor Scott & White Hospice, 2401 S. 31st Street, Temple, TX 76504

From kjas.com/obituaries

Notes:

Lee and his wife lived on the old McLemore farm at Erin, Texas.

When Lee was on his death bed in St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Beaumont, his son Robert Lee went to see him. When Lee asked who he was, Robert Lee replied, "I'm your son, Robert Lee." Lee shook his head, "No your not. You're one of those Morgan boys." Whereupon Robert Lee asked, "Which one do you think I am?" to which Lee replied, "You're Julian." (Submitted by Minnie McLemore Morgan).

Lee married Mary Othalia "Mackie" Powell on 3 Feb 1924. Mary (daughter of Robert Wesley Powell and Minnie "Maybell" Adams) was born on 25 May 1905 in Texas; died on 3 Mar 1994 in Jasper, Jasper County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

OTHALIA McLEMORE, CLEAN FREAK

During World War II, Minnie McLemore Morgan and Beulah McLemore Dougharty were over at Lee and Othalia's making cookies to send to the boys overseas. Minnie and Beulah were shelling pecans out on the back porch. Beulah asked Othalia how long a broom lasted her. Othalia, stirring the cookies in the kitchen, replied "Mine always last me a year." To which Beulah, looking at the floor, remarked, "Othalia, if you'd clean out these cracks that broom wouldn't last a week." (Submitted by Othalia McLemore on 7/14/81)

Although her given name is Mary Othalia, granddaughter Deann noted she uses only her middle name. Her family members also affectionately called her Mackie.

Deann also writes that "Othalia named her first child and when her Mama got there she changed his name and said, 'His name is Robert Lee.' Then when my Daddy was born Mackie named him 'Willy Gerald' (or something like that) and her Mama got there and said, 'No, his name is Billy Deryle' (Deryle rhymes with girl...'Dirl' and not 'Darryl'). When her third child was born, Mackie just waited until her Mama got there so she could name him."