Judy Billings, 1932-2023

Judy Billings, an International Mission Board missionary emeritus who shared the gospel in Guatemala, died March 14, 2023. She was 90.

Judy was born August 28, 1932, in Edge, Texas, to the late William and Hazel Moore Rosier. She graduated from Bryan High School in Bryan, Texas, and received the Bachelor of Science from Southwest Texas State College in San Marcos, Texas. She also studied at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

While studying at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, during the 1952-53 school year, Judy first felt the “pull toward missions,” she shared while seeking appointment with the Foreign Mission Board (now the International Mission Board).

“I did not make a public decision at that time, but the impression did not disappear,” she said.

After transferring to Southwest Texas State in San Marcos, she met Herb Billings, and they were married in August 1955.

While Herb was preparing for ministry at Southwestern Seminary, the family suffered a great loss with the death of their not even one-year-old daughter, Kathy.

In 1963, the Foreign Mission Board appointed Herb and Judy missionaries to Guatemala. Judy served with the FMB for 31 years. The Billingses served in Guatemala during times of political turmoil, yet they remained faithful. In 1988, after only 33 years of marriage, Herb passed away. After his death, Judy continued to serve with the FMB.

In addition to being preceded in death by Herb, Judy is preceded in death by her children, Kathy, Lisa, and Marshall.

She is survived by her children, Kellye Kidd (Jonathan), Leigh Anne Frazier (Tim), Michelle Billings Kinder (Patrick); eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

A graveside service was held March 20, 2023, at New Church Cemetery in Edge, Texas.

Read an obituary here.