Billie Lynette Tuten Barbee was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. She went to be with her Savior after a brave battle with pulmonary fibrosis on October 14, 2023, at the age of 89.
The youngest of eight children, she was born in Pierce County Georgia to Abram David and Willie Mae Tuten on November 28, 1933. After graduating from Blackshear High School, she married her sweetheart, Gordon Sanford Barbee, Jr. They had two daughters, Lynn and Julia. Her children loved hearing stories of growing up on the farm and following her beloved daddy as he worked in the fields. She loved their mule, Minnie, and helping care for the animals.
Billie was a wonderful homemaker and loved cooking delicious meals and treats for her family and friends. So many of her daughters’ friends considered her another mother for she had a heart big enough to love them all. When her girls were older, Gordon encouraged her to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse. She began classes at Calhoun Community College in December 1998 and became a registered nurse. She worked at Huntsville Hospital until Dr. Ira D. Thompson asked her to come and work for him. He was a Family Physician and Surgeon; she said every day was a continuing education and she loved her work. Dr. Thompson allowed her to complete her Bachelor of Science Degree at UAH College of Nursing. She received her diploma when her first grandchild was eight years old. She continued to work for Dr. Thompson seeing patients, assisting in surgeries, helping to deliver babies, and caring for them as they grew up. Gordon supported her by taking her to breakfast six days a week before the early morning rounds in the hospitals.
Billie retired in 1998 to spend time with her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed working in her yard, cheering for her Alabama football team, traveling to visit her sisters, and being a faithful prayer supporter of her church family.
Billie knew Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. That was the most important part of her life. As she noted a quote from John Piper in her Bible, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” Among many verses she had written down was Psalms 62:1 “Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.”
Billie is survived by her daughters, Lynn Webber and Julia Jones; beloved son-in-law, Robert Webber; grandchildren, Kimberly Lynette Webber McDonald (Jonathan), Robert Michael Webber, Jr. (Lisa), Andrew Gordon Webber (Bethany), Julia Anne Webber Adams (Blake), Emily Jones Brouillette (Derek), and David Benjamin Edward Jones; and great-grandchildren,
Naomi Lynette McDonald, Olivia Grace Webber, Savannah Jane McDonald, Lauren Katherine Webber, Jonathan Brock McDonald, Robert Thomas McDonald, Ryan Nicole Webber, Leighanne Brooke Webber, Eleanor Elizabeth McDonald, Pheobe Allison McDonald, James Michael Webber, Melissa Anne Webber, Claire Rose Adams, and Heather Isabelle Adams.
Visitation will be from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Friday, October 20, 2023, at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m. with Pastors Ben Holland and Paul Lamey officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Grace Community Church.
