Billie Burke Russell Holton

Billie Burke was born to William Russell of Asheville, NC and Lula Dull Russell. Upon her father’s death, when Billie was only two, her mother Lula returned “home” and was given a house on her father’s land at 330 N. Peace Haven Road, Winston-Salem, NC. Lula continued to raise her five daughters here until they married. Billie was the youngest and remained at the same address with her mother, caring for her in her later years, until she died at home at the age of 102. Billie is preceded in death by her seven half-sisters.

Billie went to work at R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. just two days after high school graduation and remained there for 39 years in payroll. Work and the friendships established there brought her much joy, but by far her greatest joy was being a mother to her daughter and son, Jean Ann Holton Hudspeth and Marshall Holton. Billie’s husband of 43 years, Holland Holton, preceded her in death in 2006.

Billie’s home was a place of gathering. She loved people, her home, flowers and all things beautiful. She loved to cook and have people “over”. Many are the meals, shared memories and conversations shared around her table.

Billie also enjoyed collecting antiques, cranberry glass and décor that would add charm to her home and make it welcoming to family and friends. She enthusiastically attended basketball games at her children’s school, Salem Baptist for many years, cheering them on in their athletics. She wasn’t much of a reader of literature, but she soaked up every page of her Southern Living Magazines, immulating it’s pages. Billie likewise cherished her church, New Philadelphia Moravian, and the rich Moravian traditions. She had a pretty alto voice and sang in the church choir a number of years.

Later years, Billie was supported in care at her home by amazing caregivers, Sue Davidson, Aris Davidson, Amanda Villareal, Joyce Jollay, Karen Hintz, Gail Hammonds, Debra Ward, Ingrid Aroche, and most notably by her granddaughter, Chelsea Hudspeth Richardson. Chelsea kept her home running to Billie’s specific desires and was her advocate medically and otherwise for 7 years. Because of her savings and others’ tender care, she was able to enjoy her home on Peace Haven until her death. She was additionally blessed to have the help of Trellis Supportive Care in home the last 3 ½ months and then leave this world peacefully at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home on a beautiful spring morning, two days after Easter, which was her favorite season and holiday!

Besides her children and their spouses, Kelly and Rick, Billie has four grandchildren, Chelsea, Caleb Hudspeth, Reagan and Ellesse Holton, then two great-grandchildren, Xander and Evelyn Hudspeth. Surviving too are her beloved nieces, Anne Gordon, Martha Hauser, Lisa Baggett, and nephews, Gray Tuttle and David Patterson. Billie had many close friends that passed before her, Sue Transou and Clyde Manning remain.

The family invites friends and family to a graveside service on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at 2:00pm at New Philadelphia Moravian Church, 4440 Country Club Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27104. As Billie would have wished, everyone is invited to her home after the service to enjoy some food and share in good memories of a memorable lady. If you so desire, bring some food to share.