Billie Etheredge

Billie Frances Barrett Etheredge, beloved mother, Grammy, sister, and friend, passed to her heavenly dwelling on February 21, 2026, at her home in Rotan, Texas, at the age of 89. Born on March 14, 1936, in Graham, Texas, Billie had a gentle but strong spirit and cared deeply about the people around her.

The oldest of six children, she grew up on many different Texas ranches because her father was a working cowboy. She attended a different school each year, and graduated from Snyder High School as salutatorian in 1954. She met her husband, Don Leldon Etheredge, at a track meet, and they married on February 5, 1955. In 1956, they moved to Abilene, where they raised their 3 children and were long-time members of First Baptist Church. Billie worked as a vice president and trust officer at First State Bank in Abilene for many years, then was a bookkeeper at Etheredge Construction in Pampa, Texas, and, finally, was the church secretary at First Baptist Church Rotan for 19 years, retiring in 2024.

Billie was an avid reader and loved bird watching, especially cardinals. She was a talented artist and painted and sewed many things for her family. She was passionate about the Dallas Cowboys and was proud to be an American. One of the things she loved most was serving families by helping provide meals for funerals at church. She faithfully prayed for her children and grandchildren and loved spending time with her family. She loved the Lord and lived out her faith every day.

Billie was preceded in death by her husband, Don; her parents, C.O. (Slim) and Rosa Lee Barrett; her son-in-law, Mike Carnes; her sister, Gracie May Barker; her brothers-in-law, Donald Fritz, Chuck Barker, Butch Patterson; and her sister-in-law, Georgia Ann Barrett. She is survived by her children, Sharon and son-in-law, Dennis Cutbirth, Pam Carnes, and Kirk Etheredge; her grandchildren, Jeremy (Becca) Carnes, Courtney (Dustin) Williams, Amanda (Paul) Hamilton, and Taylor (Eric) Johannesen; her great-grandchildren, Zach Carnes, Breanna (Cooper) Carnes, Cole Williams, Luke Williams, Sage Johannesen, and Bennett Johannesen (due in June); her siblings, Shirley Fritz, Charles Barrett, Judy Patterson, and Betty Balliew; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, February 26, at First Baptist Church in Rotan, Texas, with burial to follow on the family property. There will be no formal visitation, but family and friends may pay their respects to Billie at 10:30 am on Thursday at First Baptist Rotan.