Billie Maxine (May) Gulledge

BILLIE GULLEDGE

JERSEYVILLE - Billie Maxine Gulledge, 92, died at 11:41 p.m., Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at her home surrounded by love.

She was born in Creal Springs, Illinois on January 20, 1931, and was the last surviving child born to Charles E. and Maggie (Emery) May.

Billie graduated from Crab Orchard High School, and was a longtime and loyal member of the First United Methodist Church in Jerseyville. She retired in 1995 as an Endorsement Clerk with Millers First Insurance Company in Alton, after many years of dedicated service.

Billie lived her life with a heart full of love and devotion to her family. Always possessing a sweet smile and an open heart, she was the center of her family, and they all knew she was there for each and every one of them. Her life was truly an example of devotion to both her faith in God and her family. Her presence will truly be missed, but what an example she has left for all of us.

She married Robert E. Gulledge Sr. on July 24, 1948 in Stonefort, Illinois, and together they were blessed with six children.

Surviving are her five children and their spouses, Bob and Sherry Gulledge of Pittsburg, IL, Linda and Richard Bechtold of Jerseyville, Mark and Oksana Gulledge of North Richland Hills, Texas, Chuck and Brooke Gulledge of Freeport, Florida, and Kina and Evan Jones of McKinney, Texas.; a daughter in-law, Tharinee Gulledge of Jerseyville;  Eleven Grandchildren and their spouses, Josh Gulledge of Harrisburg, Melissa and Bill Forrest of Des Peres, Missouri, Robert and Dolor Gulledge of Lansing, Illinois, Angie and Chris Norris of Fenton, Missouri, Jamie and Larry Butkovich of Wood River, Tyler and Libby Bechtold of Lake Saint Louis, Missouri, Brock and Caitlin Gulledge of Atlanta, Georgia, Chase Gulledge of Troy, Illinois, Beau Gulledge of Freeport, Florida, Garryt Jones and Drew and Majel Jones all of McKinney, Texas; Eleven Great Grandchildren; and a sister in-law, Vivian May of Carterville, Illinois.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Donald Paul Gulledge; a brother, Charles May; and three sisters and brothers in-law, Lucille and Kenneth Heck, Ruby Aldine and Earl Scott and Bernice and Tommy Warren.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, December 21, 2023 at the First United Methodist Church in Jerseyville, where funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m., Friday. Rev. Bob Taylor will officiate.

She will be laid to rest in Oak Grove Cemetery in Jerseyville.

Memorials may be given to either the First United Methodist Church in Jerseyville or International Ministries in honor of her niece, Rebecca Stanton and her family who are serving as missionaries in Hungary.

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