Billie Janet Radford (formally Billie Kizzia and Billie Keyes) outlived three husbands, and at 91 years of age figured it was time to leave the rest of the family behind to fend for themselves.

But actually, the Lord, determining that it was time, called her on Sept. 24, 2023, to her permanent home in Heaven. On Dec. 23, 1931, Billie Janet Gentry was born in Refugio, TX. She outlived her parents, Carl and Louise Gentry, her brother Carl Kenneth Gentry and sister-in-law, Margaret Gentry. Sister-in-law Twalla Gentry is still with us.

She had four children, Randy Kizzia (Evelyn), Brad Kizzia (Jeannine), Scott Kizzia (Cathy), Dana Kizzia Norris (Danny); and four stepchildren, Sharon Keyes Durivage (Charles), Billy Keyes-deceased (Cathi), Michael Radford, Cathi Radford Loftus Bryan (Jim); 14 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was affectionately known as Momma, Gram, Great Gram and Honey Gram.

Billie moved to Kiester Lane in La Feria from Weslaco in 1962 and attended First United Methodist Church in La Feria until she moved to Centerville, Texas in 2004. She and Bud Radford attended First United Methodist Church in Centerville, Texas from 2004 until 2007. They then joined First Methodist Church in Madisonville, Texas and attended there until she moved back to the Rio Grande Valley in 2021. She volunteered for many years at the Son Shine Outreach Center in Madisonville.

Billie’s first four children grew up in La Feria where they participated in most of what the La Feria school system had to offer in sports, band, and other UIL activities. She worked 19 years with La Feria Contractors as office manager until she retired.

From February through September 2023, she was well taken care of with hospice care at Comfort House in McAllen and DHR Hospice Care in Edinburg. The family can’t say enough wonderful things about the care she received at these two facilities. The staff were compassionate, and they all made comments on the joy she gave back to them.

Billie had a great relationship with her Lord, Jesus Christ. She totally accepted John 3:16 in her Bible that says anyone who believes in His name (by accepting Him as one’s savior) will go directly to Heaven upon their death.

Her Memorial Service is to be at First Methodist Church in Madisonville on Nov. 4, 2023, at 11 a.m. She has directed us to sing at her service the following five songs: “It is Well With My Soul,” “In the Garden,” “I Can Only Imagine,” “Because He Lives" and “God Bless America.” The last thing she wrote in her Bible on the inside cover, “May the Lord of Peace Himself give you peace.” We say Amen.

Memorial gifts are to be given to First Methodist Church, Madisonville; House of Hope, Madisonville; or Son Shine Outreach Center, Madisonville.