Billie Hardee

"God has smiled on me, He has set me free."\r\n \r\nBillie Charlene Gaines Hardee passed from this life on Monday, October 12, 2015. She was born July 26, 1934, the first child of Robert Newton Gaines and Madge Leola Fisher Gaines in Georgetown, Texas. She moved to Kerrville in 1946 to live with her mother and beloved stepfather, Merrill "Blue" Neal. Billie was united in marriage to Raymond Julius Hardee on August 20, 1958. To this union, three children were born: two sons, Julius Earl Hardee and Todd Ray Hardee and one daughter, Lateesha Charlene Hardee.\r\n\r\nBillie attended school in Austin, Georgetown and Kerrville, Texas. She graduated from Doyle High School and the Sid Peterson Hospital School of Nursing in Kerrville. She also attended Houston-Tillotson College in Austin, Texas for 3 ½ years where she was an honor student. \r\n\r\nBillie worked as a Licensed Vocational Nurse at Sid Peterson Hospital for approximately 20 years. She was known as a very skillful, compassionate nurse. Her middle aged years also included employment with the Kerrville Independent School District where she worked 2 years as School Nurse and 28 years as a Teaching Assistant. She was respected and loved by administrators, staff and students.\r\n \r\nBillie united with Barnett Chapel United Methodist Church after marrying her husband, Raymond. She remained active with Barnett Chapel until 1992 when she united with First United Methodist Church until her death. She was a member of the Mary Circle of United Methodist Women, Faithful Morning Glory Emmaus Reunion Group, Red Hat Ladies of Distinction, Doyle Exes Association and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.\r\n \r\nShe was preceded in death by her parents, Robert "Newton" Gaines and Madge Gaines Neal. Her stepfather, Merrill Neal, whom she affectionately loved as "daddy," also preceded her in death.\r\n \r\nShe is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Raymond; loving sons, Julius Hardee and Todd Hardee of Kerrville; a loving daughter, Lateesha Hardee from Dallas, Texas. Other loving survivors include a brother, Robert N. Gaines Jr. (Eugenia) from Austin, Texas; three grandchildren, Tiffanni, Terrence and Creesha; and two great grandchildren, Deontra' and Deontre'; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers and sisters-in-law and other relatives and friends.\r\n \r\nVisitation will be held Friday, October 16, 2015, 6-8 PM at Grimes Funeral Chapels.\r\n \r\nServices will be held Saturday, October 17, 2015, 11 AM at First United Methodist Church officiated by Rev. Ryan Barnett. Interment will follow at Garden of Memories North Cemetery.\r\n