Billie L. Rouse, 81, passed away Tuesday, March 19, 2019. Born as Billie L Snowden, on June 1, 1937 in Jackson, TN to Louise Cole and J.D. Snowden. She graduated from West High School class of 1956 in Jackson Tennessee and was a cheerleader and also played basketball.
Billie retired from Elgin Sweeper but over the years she previously had worked at Elgin Mental Health Center, First Card Credit Card Center, Housing Authority of Elgin, and Sherman Hospital. She was for a short time a small business owner of Elgin Cracklin, making and selling cracklin skins to local businesses in Elgin and Rockford. Billie was a member of the American War Mother’s. Until Billie’s failing health prevented her to attend church, she was a very dedicated member of Progressive Baptist Church and had served on the Board of Trustees. Billie loved decorating her home and had a creative flair for decorating and fashion. She was known for outgoing personality, her quick wit and no nonsense.
Billie is preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Ozzie Lyons: mother, Louise Cole: father, J.D. Snowden: step-father, Dewitt Cole, Sr.: son, Jimmy L. Hobson: daughter, Sherri Williams: brothers, Gene Autry Snowden and Phillip Gillespie: sisters, Carolyn Gillespie and Cursie D. Wells.
Billie is survived by son, Edward Hobson of Elgin, IL and daughter, Vanessa Hobson of Longview, Tx; three Brothers: Dewitt (Pearl) Cole of San Antonio TX, James Snowden of Milwaukee WI and Ivory Snowden of Milwaukee WI: Sisters; Raphael Dee (Joe) Billups of Elgin IL, Ruby Snowden of Milwaukee WI, Gertrude Little of Detroit MI, Ora (Mikerew) Kefale of Rockford IL and Ruth (James) Hodges of Knoxville TN. Plus 6 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews and a multitude of family and friends.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 23rd at 11:00 a.m. at Progressive Baptist Church, 305 Ann Street, Elgin, officiated by Pastor Willie Tate. Please call O’Connor-Leetz Funeral Home, 847-741-1400, for more information.