Billie Jean Pace Wingate
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A memorial service will be held for Billie Jean Pace Wingate, 92, of Nacogdoches, at 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 5, 2022, at Calvary Baptist Church.
Billie passed away on February 1, 2022, in Nacogdoches, Texas. She was born on November 13, 1929, in Nacogdoches, Texas, to Chester and Claudia Pace. Billie grew up in the Swift Community and graduated from Nacogdoches High School. She married her first husband, James Kirksey, and from that marriage she was blessed with two beautiful girls. In 1951, she met the love of her life, Dick Wingate, on Saturday night and married the next Saturday. They were married March 17, 1951, and spent 66 wonderful years together. They had two precious girls. Together, they raised four daughters who were Billie and Dick's whole world. Billie was an excellent cook and had many talents including crocheting, knitting, sewing and writing in her journal. She kept a journal for many years of her life.
After retiring from Medical Center Hospital, Billie and Dick purchased a motor home and traveled all over the United States. Billie also began working with her favorite past time, genealogy, and mapping graveyards. She and Dick mapped 17 rural graveyards.
Billie is survived by her daughters, Jean Du Bois of Nacogdoches, Texas, Carol Collins of Nacogdoches, Texas, Peggy Kolb of Nacogdoches, Texas, and Wendy Munnerlyn and husband, Mike of Hot Springs, Arkansas; 7 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
Billie is preceded in death by her first husband, James Kirksey, and her beloved husband, Dick Wingate; parents, Chester Pace and Claudia Bentley Pace; twin sons, Billy, and Ricky Kirksey; great-granddaughter, Ashley Du Bois; brother, Clyde Pace and wife, Fairy Jinkins Pace; sister, Laura Marie Pace Barton and husband, Clarence; and nephew, Jack Delane Pace.
One of her last journal entries:
"Thank you my daughters for taking care of me when I needed you the most. There is a special place in heaven waiting for you. There is also a special place inside my heart that is just for you. Thank you for everything. I pray someone as kind as you is there for you when you knock on God's door. You are loved, respected, and cherished. I will be waiting for you. Mom"
"Honor your father and your mother, so that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God has given you." (Exodus 20:12)
The family wants to thank Westward Trails Nursing facility, Heart-To-Heart Hospice, and Dr. Phillip La Barbera and Staff for their care and support.
Special thanks to Paul Sevar, Vernis and Jo rogers, and Calvary Baptist Church for all of their love and support.