Dateline: June 7, 2007

Services for Billy Jo Barbee, 81, of Memphis were held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 1, 2007, at the First Baptist Church in Memphis, with Rev. Daniel Downey, officiating. 

Burial followed in Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Hughs Funeral Home in Memphis.

Mrs. Barbee died on Wednesday, May 30, 2007 in Amarillo.

Jo was born on August 22, 1925 in Memphis to the late Mr. Elmer T. Prater and Mrs. Willie Martindale Prater.  She was a 1942 graduate of Memphis High School.  Then she went on and graduated from TCU in 1946 with a business degree and a geology degree. 

She married J.H. Barbee, Jr., on November 27, 1947, in Amarillo.  He preceded her in death on February 26, 1994.  She was a lifelong resident of Memphis.  She worked for GTE for 30 plus years in the business office as a supervisor. She was a member of the TCU Alumni, Red River Hatters Club, Hospital Auxiliary, and the First Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by two sisters, Winifred Davis and Genevieve Pate.

She is survived by one daughter, Melissa Hatley and husband Kirby of Clarendon; three grandchildren, Wes Hatley and wife Christi, Jeff Hatley and wife Sarah; Jennifer Robinson and husband Zack all of Clarendon; five great-grandchildren, Bryce Hatley, Jensen Hatley, Brock Hatley, Emeri Robinson and Kasen Hatley all of Clarendon.

The family suggests memorials be made to a favorite charity.