Billie Jo Shuler, age 81, was born August 10, 1929 in Halltown, Missouri, and went to be with her Heavenly Father on November 7, 2010. She was the daughter of William Thaddeus Barber and Nellie Margarett Phelen. She was married August 7, 1947, to Charles Dean Shuler who preceded her in death on May 1, 2004.
Billie graduated from Walnut Grove High School in 1947. Billie was a homemaker and worked outside the home helping Charles operate the family owned business until their retirement in 2002. Billie accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior as a young girl and was a dedicated Christian her entire life. She was proud to have her membership at Faith Baptist Church of Springfield, Missouri, where she attended regularly as part of the church family.
She is survived by five children and their spouses, Step-son, John and Earnita Shuler, of Marshfield, Jack and Colleen Shuler, of Ash Grove, Gary and Cyndi Shuler, Suzi and Michael Hampton, and Jim and Roseanne Shuler, all of Springfield. She is also survived by a sister and her spouse, Wilma Jean and Melvin Cook, of Springfield; daughter-in-law, Lucy Thompson, of Wamego, Kan.; two sisters-in-law, Ruth Hamlin, of Ozark, and June Vincent, of Sedalia; and a host of nieces and nephews she loved dearly as they loved her.
Surviving grandchildren are Kendall and Jill Shuler, of Tyler, Texas, Johnita and Josh Williams, of Fort Worth, Texas, Jason and Jeanne Shuler, of Claremore, Okla., Jennifer and Joey Staton, of Claremore, Okla., Shelly and Scott Deckard, of Bois D’ Arc, Tina and Mark Scott, of Golden, Kenna and Billy McClanahan, of Clever, Jeff and Melisa Shuler, of Clever, Brandon and Tammy Terhune, of Wamego, Kan., Jeff Johnson, of Ozark, Charlie and Leah Hampton, of Springfield, Rachael Parker, of Springfield, Stephen and Elizabeth Hampton, of Harker Heights, Texas, James and Leslie Shuler, of Bolivar, and Jeremy and Heidi Shuler, of Independence, Mo.
Surviving great-grandchildren include Brennan, Mason and Katie Ann Shuler; Brooke, Seth and Luke Williams; Steven and Kris Dukes; James Deckard; Logan and Autumn Scott; Baillie and Kenreck McClanahan; Lacy and Crystal Shuler; Elizabeth and Shelsea Staton; Preslie Grace Shuler and Brayden Terhune; Mikey, Billie, Hannah and Cale (Zippy) Parker; Savannah, Brenden, Skylar and Brittany Hampton; Tamatha Mendelzon and Victoria Hampton; Kaiden, Annabelle and Addison Shuler; and Titan, Cole, Canon and Levi Shuler. Billie has one great-great grandchild, Michael Mendelzon.
Billie Jo was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Emily Johnson.
She was known as Mambo or Grandma to all. Her favorite flower was a rose. Her favorite songs were “Amazing Grace” and “Peace In the Valley”. Her favorite Bible verse was the 23rd Psalm. Her favorite past time was bowling with her grandchildren. Billie’s biggest joy came from preparing a big feast for her family at special occasions.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m., Thursday, November 11, in Greenlawn East Funeral Home, Springfield. Burial will follow in White Chapel Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, November 10 in the funeral home.
Billie will be greatly missed by all her family many other relatives and a host of friends.