Billie Lorraine Bausell

Billie Lorraine Bausell, 97, also affectionately known as Mom, Grandma, GiGi, and Aunt Billie, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2026, at her home in Canton, NC, in the company of her loving son-in-law, AJ and great-grandson, Kainen. She had been in hospice care at home since November of 2024, after a fall.

Billie is preceded in death by her parents, Hal and Jessie Bush; her husband of 18 years, Charles Gilmer Bausell; one daughter, Dianne Gars; one son, David Bausell; two brothers, Victor and Jack Bush; three sisters, Ruth Morris, Bernice Lee and Lenora Bean; one great-nephew, Justin Johnson;and one son-in-law, Irwin Gars.

Throughout her life's journey, she experienced several of the world's first inventions, along with many changes. It started with a hard childhood, and then she was a young, single mother. Billie lived through wars, and the Depression, yet never complained. She was a strong, independent and resilient woman. She was also a reliable and dependable one. You could always count on her to be there, or lend an ear and give true, honest advice, without being bitter or judgmental. Billie used to always say that she was blessed through tough times in life by someone being a saving grace to her. For the majority of her life, she worked as a waitress for many years at Walgreens and Howard Johnsons, until she served and managed a quaint little close-knit spot called The Donut Shoppe, on Bird Road in Miami Florida, where she made and was a lifelong friend to several generations of people. Billie was a breast cancer survivor since her diagnosis in 2007, and inspired so many with her trademark stoicism and positive attitude as she persevered through life's hurdles. She was admired and respected by anyone who encountered her and could command a room, with just her presence and say a lot in her silence, but most of all she was loving; she was a safe and comfortable place for anyone and everyone to land on. Billie WAS the Rock and Glue that held her family together. She enjoyed playing cards with her family and was very competitive. Billie had a talent for sewing and made clothes, doll clothes, and stuffed animals for her family and friends. Most of all, she loved reading so vivaciously that she could read a novel in a day or two and sometimes have three or four going at the same time. Billie was a very wise woman with a wealth of knowledge that she used to keep her mind sharp. She was also an excellent cook and was at the head & center of the family's holidays and gatherings that created so many lasting wonderful memories for everyone along the way.

Those who are left the cherish her memory, are one daughter, Denise Fairbrother and her husband, Arthur "A J"; two grandchildren, Jade Bausell and Davey Bausell; two great-grandchildren, Kainen Quesada and Scarlet Bausell; two daughters-in-law, Susan Bausell, and Carmen Perez Bausell; one nephew, Craig Bulger, and his husband Paul Mulhern; four nieces, Debra Johnson and her husband, Russell, Kim Bulger and her husband, Steve Widner, Cheryl Cleveland and her husband, Bert, and Carol Bush; two great-nephews, Nathan Johnson and his wife, Shelby, and Noah Cleveland. Five great-great-nieces, Addison, Lirael, Ellie, Avery and Amelia; three granddaughters by marriage, Monica Canon, Victoria Alvarez, and Vanessa Miranda and her husband, Marco; 3 great-grandchildren by marriage, Skylar & Kaya Miranda, and Nicolas Alvarez; along with several generations of nieces & nephews and their extended family that are too many to count and all of whom will miss her dearly.

Per Billies wishes, no formal services are planned at this time. The family will be having a celebration of life at a later date.