Billie Louise McLendon

Billie Louise McLendon, 91, of Corpus Christi, Texas, passed away on August 27, 2024, with her loving family by her side. 

The oldest of eight children, Billie was born on September 5, 1932, to Willie and Annie Gerloff in Blanco Texas. After graduating from Corpus Christi High School with the class of 1950, she married Billy “Bill” Jeff McLendon on August 18, 1951. Together they had six children: Jeffrey Lee, Debra Lynn, Donna Kay, Glenda Faye, Billy Don and Keith Alan. 

As a devoted wife and mother, she enjoyed the many moves around Texas the family made during the early years of their marriage. She loved to cook, garden, play games, work crossword puzzles and go dancing with Bill. Summers were meant for the beach, lake or river and many nights were spent camping on the Frio River and dancing at Garner State Park. 

During her senior years, Billie was an avid baseball fan, especially of her beloved Houston Astros. Her greatest passion was bird watching. She loved sitting on her back porch watching and feeding all the different birds and squirrels that came to visit. Billie also enjoyed volunteering with the City of Corpus Christi Retired & Senior Volunteer Program and was frequently found at the Northwest Senior Center where she never met a stranger and always had a smile and hug for everyone. Over the years, Billie held several officer positions on the site council of the Northwest Senior Center at West Guth Park. She also liked volunteering in the kitchen to help serve meals to other seniors. She enjoyed all the activities at the Center, but especially the chair volleyball in which she received several awards. She was also very honored to have been voted the Valentine Queen in 2016.

A caring wife, mother, grandmother, and granny, Billie was devoted to her family and friends and will be sorely missed.

Billie was predeceased by her parents, Willie and Annie; husband, Bill; daughter, Donna; daughter-in-law, Sherri; brother, Richard; and sisters, Emma, and Mary. 

She is survived by her children, Jeff McLendon, Debra (Steve) Keim, Glenda (Jeff) Kronke, Billy (Diana) McLendon, and Keith (Tammy) McLendon; sisters, Darlene and Della; brothers, Elvis and Donnie; twelve grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at Sawyer George Funeral Home on Sunday, September 8, 2024. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. with the Funeral Service at 12:00 p.m. Internment will follow at the Oakwood Cemetery in Refugio, Texas.

Pallbearers for the services will be Tighe Thain, Mark Keim, David Keim, C.J. McLendon, Bryan McLendon and Logan McLendon.