Billye Lee Booth

Monday, January 28, 2013

Billye Lee Booth, 89, of Jonesboro, formerly of Caraway passed away Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013. She was born Dec. 25, 1923, in Franklin to the late William "Bill" and Pearl Short Jennings. She and her husband, Virgil, lived most of their lives in Caraway, Paragould and Conway. Billye led an active, healthy lifestyle and was an avid walker and swimmer. She loved a good bridge game and a good book. Her travels took her over much of the world, with extended stays in Russia and Tanzania. She will be missed by her large family and many friends across the states and years.

In her later years she continued her lifelong commitment to education and volunteering. She graduated with delight at age 65 from the University of Central Arkansas. She volunteered for over 60 years in her churches, libraries and communities. Her greatest joy in her final years was volunteering several days a week with the children at Microsociety Magnet School in Jonesboro, where she taught reading.

She is survived by a daughter, Sandra Noble, and her husband Bill Rose of Livermore, Calif.; a granddaughter, Heather Noble, and her husband Matthew Tilghman of Livermore; numerous loving nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded in death by her husband, Virgil Booth; two sons, Hayden Booth and David Booth.

A celebration of her life was held at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 28, at the Gregg-Langford Bookout Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. John Miles officiating. Burial followed at Greene County Memorial Gardens in Paragould. Visitation was from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27, at the Gregg-Langford Bookout Funeral Home, 300 W. Matthews Avenue, Jonesboro.

Honored to serve as pallbearers were Hunter Miller, Curtis Miller, Clayton Miller, Shannon Sanders, Harvey Edward Faulkner and Ronald Faulkner and as honorary pallbearers, Mark Morris and Stephen Pearce.

In lieu of flowers, Billye's family suggests a gift to the children she loved through a gift to First Methodist Church designated to MicroSociety Magnet School, 801 S. Main Street, Jonesboro.

Personal condolences may be sent to the Booth family at www.greggfunerals.com.