Billie Wray Kay Eakin Strauss passed away peacefully on June 27, 2023. Billie was born on July 28, 1929, in Tyler, Texas, to William Rosamond Kay and Velma Verona Herring Kay. The family moved to Madisonville, Texas in 1936. She gave her life to Christ at age 10 at First Baptist Church in Madisonville. After graduating from Madisonville High School in 1945, she attended Baylor University, graduating in 1949. She married Bob Eakin on June 6, 1949 and they had five children together. She was active in church life, serving in the WMU and teaching Sunday school. She was also active in Little League baseball, serving as the president of the Ladies Auxiliary.

Billie was an elementary school teacher in Houston for 24 years.

She and Bob divorced in 1979. She married her high school sweetheart, Stephan Strauss, in 1988. They moved to Sun City in Georgetown, Texas in 1996 and were active members of Crestview Baptist Church. Both were active in missionary work, Sunday school, and visitations. Stephan passed away on Feb. 19, 2011.

Billie remained active in church, delivering Meals on Wheels, and mentoring at a local elementary school. She was a quilter, an avid reader and a life-long bridge player.

Billie is survived by a brother, Dominic Greco (Mesquite) and her children: Bobby Ray Eakin (Austin), Marshall Craig Eakin and wife Michelle (Nashville, TN), Blair Eakin and wife Elaine (Huntsville), Melissa DeRoch and husband Scott (Conroe), and Lindy Eakin and wife Elizabeth (Lawrence, KS), as well as six grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren.

A burial service is planned in Madisonville on Thursday, July 27 at 10 am in the Madisonville Cemetery.