Wilma R. "Billie" Holcomb

Wilma R. Holcomb
'Billie'
ELKIN -- Mrs. Holcomb went to her Heavenly Reward on Thursday, April 17, 2008. She was born on November 22, 1921 and grew up in Laurel Springs in Alleghany County in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the daughter of Nellie Miller and Robert Avery Waddell. She graduated from high school in 1937 and left a few years later to go to Washington, DC to work in 'Arlington Hill,' as a decoder during WWII. She married Jack M. holcomb of Elkin on March 1, 1945, and they returned there following the end of WWII, after Jack was discharged. They remained there for 63 years, working and raising their family.
Active in many community and civic organiztions, Billie chose to serve others better through her work as State Secretary and Treasurer for the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, a position she held for 41 years. She also held other positions in the organization over the years including Auxiliary 7794 and District #11 President, as Chairman of National Programs and as Banner Bearer and Flag Bearer on the national level. Her life was a wonderful example of Christianity in action, whether as a mother, wife, or in service to others.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Curt Ratledge of Atlanta, GA. She is survived by her daughter, Chloe Ann, her son, A. Waddell Holcomb, a very special friend, Sylvia W. Crouch and family, and a very large family of friends in the Wm. J. Jones V.F.W. #7794 Elkin and across the state of North Carolina.
Funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, April 20, 2008 at Johnson Funeral Home Chapel in Elkin, by Rev. Dr. Bill Johnson. A graveside service will follow at Hollywood Cemetery in Elkin. The family will receive friends at the First Baptist Church in Elkin after graveside.
Johnson Funeral Home of Elkin is in charge of arrangements.