Billie Blize

Billie Louise Lee Blize

March 17, 1926 – August 13, 2025

With both heavy hearts and gratitude for her remarkable 99 years on this earth, we announce that Billie Louise Lee Blize—our beloved mother, “Super Grandma,” treasured great-grandmother, and cherished friend—peacefully entered her eternal home with the Lord on August 13, 2025, at Mercy House in Temple, Texas.

Billie was born on March 17, 1926, in Arbala, Texas, to Roy Lee and Hays L Payne Lee. From her earliest days, she was marked by positivity, determination, and faith—qualities that guided her through nearly a century of life.

As a young girl, one of her elementary teachers, recognizing her artistic talent, gifted her with a set of pastels, sparking a lifelong passion for creativity. Over the years, she expressed her artistry through sewing, ceramics, doll and jewelry making, and painting birdhouses—often inspired by her love for plants and birds, especially hummingbirds and cardinals.

In 1944, she married her high school sweetheart, Melvin Ray Blize. They shared nearly 55 years of love, mostly in San Antonio, until his passing in 1999.

Known for her servant’s heart, Billie poured her life into her family, church, and children’s schools. She was a gentle guide, a nurturing encourager, and a positive presence who made everyone feel like they were her favorite. Her home was always open—a place where the coffee was hot, sandwich fixings were plentiful, and connecting through conversation was priority.

Billie’s faith in God was the foundation of her life. She loved sharing God’s word, especially with children. While living in San Antonio, she taught 2nd grade Sunday School at Dellview Baptist Church for many years. Later, even into her 90’s, she was a dedicated Awanas volunteer at Central Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs. Billie didn’t just speak of God’s love—she lived it. She put others first, extended kindness and grace to all, met challenges with patience and determination, and embraced every season with gratitude and joy. She taught by example that life is best lived with open hands and an open heart, with a touch of humor.

Billie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her siblings, Doris Starrett and Joe Jack Lee; and her son, Van Blize.

She is survived by her children: Roy and Linda Blize, Lou Gail Armstrong, and Jan Blize and Gay Nell Daniel; grandchildren: Lori Blize (Chris), James Blize, Dawn Dorsett (Tim), Briana Weisinger (Ronen), Billie Rae Blize (Bridgette), Vanessa Blize (Jarred), Joel Armstrong (Crystal), and Lee Armstrong (Sally); great-grandchildren: Brandon DeLuna (Des), Breanna Blize, Drake McWhorter (Kat), Maddison Vara, Garrett, Ashton, and Xander Dorsett, Shira and Ari Barda, Warren and Alanna Ball, Aiden Lopez, Justin and Gavan Wawarosky, and Jenna, Abigail, Grayson, Cooper, and Noah Armstrong; great-great-grandchildren: Ocean and Violet DeLuna; nephew and niece Steve and Jo Ann Blize; numerous extended family members including special cousins Donna Lou Mirada and W.G. White; and her beloved Mercy House family and Aspen Hospice staff.

While we deeply miss her, we rejoice knowing she is now in the glorious presence of her Lord—reunited with loved ones and hearing the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Visitation will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, August 23rd at Central Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs, Texas, with the service to follow at 2:00 pm with Pastor Gene Mattison, and then burial to follow at Restlawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Tommy Starrett Scholarship Fund c/o Central Baptist Church or to The Lewy Body Dementia Association at https://www.lbda.org/honor-memorial-gifts/

*Her race is run, her work complete, her faith kept.* To God be the glory for His blessed gift of Billie Blize’s 99 extraordinary years on this earth.

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