Willodine Hamner Malone, known as Billie to her family and friends, was born in rural Winston County, Alabama on March 8, 1923. Billie was the first born of 11 children, eight of these surviving to adulthood. Her father was a mail carrier, store owner and farmer, her mother a teacher and music teacher. Her love of music began in the home, and at age ten she began attending a singing school where she first learned about “shaped notes,” and soon after that began conducting music for the church and leading all-day singings in the area. She joined the Meek Baptist church at age 11 when she was baptized in the Brushy Creek swimming hole. Very soon thereafter, she began teaching Sunday school.
She graduated from high school at age 17 as the valedictorian of her class. She entered Alabama College for Women (now called University of Montevallo) and graduated four years later with a B.S. in Home Economics.
When she finished college, she accepted a position as the home economics teacher in Cherokee. She arrived by train and a young man was appointed by the town to greet her when she arrived. That young man saw her and told his cousin that one day that young lady would be his wife…and that became true. In those days there were no rental properties in Cherokee, so Billie had to board in people’s homes. One of those was the home of Mary Anne Malone, who later became Billie’s mother-in-law. Billie married Ben Malone on June 22, 1947, in the home of her parents in Winston County.
Soon after coming to Cherokee, she joined the Cherokee Baptist Church. She played the piano, led the singing, taught Sunday school, and organized a youth group. She became a member of First United Methodist Church in Cherokee in 1952, and became an active member for over 50 years.
Two years after she married Ben, she gave birth to her first child, Linda Susan. When she returned to teaching, her position as home economics teacher was no longer available. She taught sixth grade for a while, then gave birth to her only son Benjamin (Benjie) Cross Malone Jr. in 1952. When she returned to teach she was placed in high school. In the following years, she taught civics, Alabama history, democracy, economics, communism, glee club, and family living. She particularly enjoyed organizing and directing many hootenannies at CVHS. In 1960, on New Year’s Eve, she gave birth to her youngest child, Patricia Lee. After going back to teaching for a few years more, she also returned to college to pursue a new major in political science, and earned her master’s degree in 1978. Teaching school was a major focus of Billie’s life, and the love and support she showered on her students were returned in full over her 40 years as a teacher. She will be remembered for her community wide glee club programs. On March 27, 1980, the Alabama Senate adopted a resolution, sponsored by Bobby Denton, recognizing her many years of service as a school teacher. He surprised her with the resolution in her classroom, and that was always one of her treasured memories. Billie and Ben, her husband of nearly 57 years, had a standing date to watch Lawrence Welk every Saturday night.
Billie was predeceased by her husband, Ben, her parents, Lee and Artie Rushing Hamner, her brothers, Ned, Brent, and George Hamner, and her sisters, Martha and Margie Hamner.
She is survived by her children Linda Miller (James), Benjie Malone (Deborah), and Patti Hussey (Curtis); her brothers, Roger and Larry Hamner; her sisters, Nell Hamner, Marie Campbell (Julian), and Janet Lansford; grandsons, Adam and Daniel Malone (Jennifer); granddaughter, Michael Lee Hollingshaus (Michael); four stepgrandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
We, her family members, will always remember her as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. She will be remembered by her church as a faithful and devoted Christian. And she will be remembered by the town of Cherokee as a wonderful teacher and avid supporter of the community.
Brother Sammy Hayes will preside over the service with Brother Jerome Armstead, both former students. Personal notes will be given by Curtis Hussey, son-in-law. Pallbearers are Adam Malone, Daniel Malone, Ryan Hussey, Tommy Wilson, Tim Hamner, and Chris Hamner.
Music will be provided by Senator Bobby Denton, former glee club students, Serena Kanig Benish, and Donna Seales.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 16. There will also be visitation from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Jan. 17. The funeral service will be at noon on Saturday. Visitations and funeral will be at Morrison Funeral Home in Cherokee. Burial will be at the Cross Family Cemetery in Cherokee, Alabama.
For those who prefer to donate in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cherokee Creative Curb Appeal, c/o Sandi Hendrix, 1625 7th Street, Cherokee, AL 35616, or to the Warren Hamner Scholarship Fund, c/o Jimmy Hamner, in memory of Billie Malone
