Joan Gardner Billingsley
Joan Gardner Billingsley
1932 ~ 2013
Joan Gardner Billingsley left her earthly existence, along with the suffering of cancer on January 1, 2013. She was born on the kitchen table at home in Spanish Fork, Utah on January 30, 1932 to Fay L. and Lois Hughes Gardner. She attended schools in Spanish Fork and graduated from Spanish Fork High School in 1950. She met and married Earl L. Petersen on October 5, 1951. They made their home in Orem, Utah. From this marriage they had five children. She and Earl later divorced. When she met Marlow, she knew that she had met her dance partner for the rest of her life. She married Marlow Billingsley on Feb. 14, 1990. With this union, she inherited ten more children.
She was always very active. She spent a lot of time building apartments with her Dad. She knew the value of hard work. Her occupation was that of a Genealogist, spending hours researching records so that others who had gone before could have their temple work done. She loved sports, especially softball, spending most of her summers on the ball field, either coaching or playing. She loved the youth and spent many years serving them as MIA President and also as a 4-H leader. She was a beautiful seamstress, making exquisite wedding gowns and wardrobes for others. No one ever saw her without her hair and makeup done. It was a no, no to touch her hair! We daughters hope that we too can be 80 years old and never have any gray hair, just like Mom! (wink!)
Above everything else she loved her children and spent countless hours serving them. Even as she aged, she wanted them to know that she was there whenever needed. She had an undying love for the gospel and for her Savior, Jesus Christ. She was faithful to the end and taught her children the importance of the gospel in their lives.
Joan is survived by her husband, Marlow; five children, Randa Lee (Frank) Garrett, Cathy (Bud) Gardner, Kent (Shelly) Petersen, Calvin (Shauna) Petersen, Teresa (Robbie) Carter; stepchildren, Debbie (Greg) Edmondson, Bill (Sheri) Billingsley, Tim (Natalie) Billingsley, Lisa (Dave) Hoveskeland, Kris Billingsley, Steve (RaNae) Billingsley, Julie (David) Krauss, Nicole (Ken) Katschke, Brian (Steph) Billingsley; 57 grandchildren and 45 great grandchildren; sibling, Eugene Gardner (brother). Other survivors include dear friends, Kay Davenport, Rae Howard, and many loving neighbors. She was preceded in death by both parents, Kent Gardner (brother), Steven L. Fausett (son-in-law), Ryan Steven Fausett (grandson), Dayne Clark (step-son), and Ron and Marlow Billingsley (twin step grandsons).
The family would like to thank First Choice Hospice for the loving care that was extended to her in the final chapter of her life. We love you Mom and will miss you everyday. We will see your smile in the sunrise and are so grateful that you are free from the illness that bound you. In your lifetime you endured a lot of unhappiness and grief. Now you are free, rest in peace.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at the Orem Hillcrest 3rd Ward Chapel, 1450 South 800 East, Orem, Utah. Family and friends may call on Monday evening at the church from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and on Tuesday morning from 9:45-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment will be in the Spanish Fork City Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family at: www.walkerobits.com