Billie Marie Mansfield

Billie Marie Smith Mansfield passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 14th at Eno Pointe Assisted Living. She was born in Sampson County, NC to the late Leland Ersell Smith and Ruby Hazel Strickland Smith. In addition to her parents, she was also predeceased by her husband, W.Lee Mansfield, her sister, Bobbie Smith Morgan, and many beloved sisters and brothers in-laws.

After graduating from Bethesda High School, Billie worked at Sears Roebuck Co. where she met and married the love of her life of 73 years. She ran a home daycare and later worked as a bookkeeper from Kenan Oil Company (Tops Petroleum ) until her retirement. She was a member of Grey Stone Baptist Church.

Billie's children and grandchildren enjoyed her beautiful ceramics, paintings, crocheted afghans, and baking over the years; especially the famous banana pudding, shipwreck casserole, and annual Jingle Cake. She loved singing in the church choir over the years. Special memories were created with the many camping trips, vacations at the beach, and traveling after retirement to Nova Scotia, Key West, and more with her husband.

Her beautiful, sparkling blue eyes would light upon seeing her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and she especially loved listening to their stories and accomplishments. Even with her advanced dementia, she was able to continue sparring teasingly with her family and those at Eno Point, humming favorite hymns and songs, and showing off her dance moves. Her eyes sparkled with a sense of remembrance of each visit, and she loved the video clips and pictures shared of her large family. She will be lovingly remembered for blowing kisses and signing "I love you" at the end of a visit.

Billie will be missed by her children Patrice Mansfield, Lisa M. Fortune, Douglas (Sherri) Mansfield, Kristy (Jeff) Lecky, Andrea (Gerry) Hubbell, Walter (Lesley) Mansfield; her grandchildren Heather Fortune, Hannah Fortune, Andrew (Morgan) Mansfield, Kayla Mansfield, Jonathan Lecky, Daniel (Kelsey) Lecky, Kathryn (Conner), Caroline Grace, Amanda (Kyle) Krygier, Adam Hubbell, Abigail (Kyle) Coleman, Bethany (Thomas) Costello, Corey (Sarah) Mansfield, Diana Mansfield; and her great grandchildren Chloe, Elijah, Anna, Sloane, Jane, Owen, and Warren..

She will also be missed by her brother Jerry (Lois) Smith; nieces and nephews: Jeff (Gail) Rankin, Karen (Ryan) Gilmore and children Connor, Trevor, Dylan, Milo, Gwen Lloyd, Bobby (Catherine) Lloyd, and Elsie and Wallis, Justin (Brooke) Lloyd and Cassady, Helen (Fred) Payne, Randy Morgan, Tommy (Delores) Morgan and Peyton, Sandra (David) Hinton and children Morgan, Austin, and Seth.

A funeral service will be held at Clements Funeral Home located at 1105 Broad Street in Durham, NC. The family will receive friends on Sunday, August 24th from 2-3 pm with a service following at 3pm. Dr. Clay Waters and Chaplain Melissa Fretwell will officiate. Burial to follow at Markham Memorial Gardens located at 4826 Trenton Rd in Chapel Hill.

The family extends a special thank you to the staff of Eno Pointe Assisted Living. The love, compassion and support given to our parents and the rest of our family during their time there was immeasurable. Thank you for the extra TLC given to Mom after Dad's passing. We are forever grateful for each and every one of you.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Grey Stone Church Legacy Center, 2601 Hillsborough Rd., Durham, NC 27705.

The family is being assisted by Clements Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc. in Durham. Online condolences may be sent to www.clementsfuneralservice.com.