Billie Ray

BENTON, Mo. -- Maria Yvonne "Billie" Ray, 63, of Benton entered Heaven's gate Saturday, July 4, 2015, with her children and loved ones surrounding her.

She was born July 24, 1951, at Poplar Bluff, Missouri. She was one of two children born to the late Bill and Grace Fitchpatrick.

Billie lived most of her life in the small community of Benton and worked for VNA more than 20 years.

She loved to fish, plant flowers and collect anything with a pig on it and never turned away a stray animal.

She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

She is survived by four children, Preston "Butch" (B.J.) Price, Tracy (Janelle) Price, Audra (Bradley) Hayden and Kelly (Carl) Breedlove, all of Benton; a brother, Markel C. Fitchpatrick of Blodgett, Missouri; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and three faithful dogs, Fred, Willie and Lola.

Friends and neighbors may join family members in celebrating Billie's life from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Benton.

The final farewell will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral chapel. Her final resting place will be in Blodgett Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Tracy Price, Ben Riley, Mark Fitchpatrick Jr., Torie Price, Gavin Price, Jacob Price, Trey Crader, John Crone, Jordan Crone, Madison Hayden and Bailie Chidester.

The family would like to extend a thank-you to all who helped with Billie and a very special thank-you to a longtime friend, Linda Smith, for being there not only for Billie but for the family as well.

Online condolences may be shared at amick-burnettfuneralchapels.com.