Billie Jean (Edgar) Veale

Today, we celebrate the life of a truly remarkable woman, Billie Jean Veale.

Billie Jean was born on September 29, 1934, to Edith Gertrude Edgar and William Tilman Edgar. She was the baby of her family and the last living sibling of a large, loving group of 6 brothers—William “Tim,” Willard, Dempsey, Wayne, Truett, and Tommy. Growing up in Warren, Texas, and attending Warren High School, she graduated as valedictorian,n all while staying active in sports, twirling, and the Dogwood pageants. She carried that same energy, determination, and spirit with her throughout her entire life.

More than anything, Billie Jean was a woman who loved deeply and lived fully.

She leaves behind a beautiful legacy through her children—Stephen Truett Swearingen and his wife Janet, Connie Lee Cornelsen, and Susan Naquin—her grandchildren—Rachael Litt, Kyle Swearingen, Chase Basinger, and Coty Basinger—and her great-grandchildren—Hailey Craigen, Kyler Swearingen, Kethan Swearingen, Konnor Swearingen, Caleb Basinger, Piper Basinger, Liam Alvarez, Cooper Basinger, Ella Basinger, and Cillian Basinger. Each of them carries a piece of her with them, and 3 of them even carry her middle name.

Billie had a passion for life that showed up in everything she did. She loved flowers and gardening, and she fully embraced them. She was an expert, no doubt about it… and she was also very skilled at recruiting her family to help her with those projects. Many of us here can probably smile thinking about the times we got “volunteered” to work in the yard with her using her signature phrase, “Won’t you come help Mawmaw just for a second.” Hours of hard manual labor would pass, and you’d figure out you had been got, but those moments, even the work, became memories we now cherish.

She was deeply rooted in her faith and her church, where her joyful and energetic spirit touched so many. Billie was a true social butterfly. She had a way of lighting up a room, making people feel comfortable, and bringing others together.

Her home was a place of warmth, laughter, and love. She loved having her family around her—playing dominoes, card games, and board games. She was a natural entertainer and an incredible cook. No one ever left her home hungry, and more importantly, no one ever left without feeling loved.

And if you tried to leave too soon, you’d probably hear her say, “Why? You just got here…”—a simple phrase that perfectly captured who she was. She never wanted the moment to end. She never wanted time with the people she loved to be cut short.

That was Billie Jean—she loved big, she welcomed everyone, and she made sure you knew exactly how much you meant to her. You never had to wonder if she loved you. She would tell you, and she would show you—with a warm embrace that you could truly feel.

She also had a wonderful sense of humor and knew how to enjoy life. She brought joy to others not just through what she did, but through who she was.

While it is incredibly hard to say goodbye, we can take comfort in knowing that her love, her laughter, and her spirit will live on through all of us. In the meals we share, the games we play, the gardens we tend, and the way we love one another—she is still here.

Billie Jean lived a full and meaningful life, and her impact will never fade.

We will miss her deeply, love her always, and carry her with us every day.

Rest in peace, Grandma. You were truly one of a kind.

The family would like to express their appreciation to Mill Creek staff, Hospice Care Team, Chaplain Phil Holder, and Mom’s very special friend, Dee, for caring for her.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Billie Jean (Edgar) Veale, please visit our floral store.