Billie Sue Whitaker

Billie Sue Whitaker passed from this earth on Wednesday August 13, 2025 at home with her family by her side. She was born to Samuel Norman Whitaker and Tena Martha (McComb) Whitaker on March 12, 1935 in Alto, Texas. She grew up in several places across Texas including Alto, Danciger, and Wild Peach. She married Kenneth Ray Richardson on April 16, 1953 and had four children. Although they divorced after 33 years of marriage, they remained lifelong friends. She was known by friends and family as Mom, Aunt Billie, GG, Ybone, and Bear Grip.

Billie Sue is survived by her brothers Dean Whitaker of Marana, Arizona, Jesse Whitaker and wife Pat of Phoenix, Arizona, one sister Donalyn Busssear of Vallejo, California, four children Nettie Sue Wolfe, Patti Jean Mitcham and husband Thomas, Charles Norman Richardson, and Richard Wade Richardson. Other surviving family members include Grandchildren Chrissie Johnston and husband Ernest (Bubba), James Richardson (Clint), Gina Horsley and husband Frank, Thomas Mitcham Jr. and wife Barbara, Crystal Elliott and husband Mike, David Mitcham, Nancy Tucker and “adopted” grandchildren Britton Balusek and wife Jackie, Tammy Weaver and husband Lynn, Cindie Owens and husband Tommy, Terry Wolfe Jr., JD Meador,18 great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild and another due in September as well as several nieces and nephews.

Billie Sue was preceded in death by her father Norman Whitaker, mother Tena Martha Whitaker, brothers Bobby Joe and Norman Whitaker, and Sister VJ Melton.

Billie Sue earned her nickname Ybone at an early age when she announced that she could spell her name and proceeded to spell it YBONE. Her other nickname was Bear Grip which was earned due to her lack of strength in her hands. She couldn’t spank us when we were young because she couldn’t hold on to the paddle although dad handled that chore rather well when he got home from work.

Billie Sue had a passion for crocheting. She made blankets for all of her kids and grandkids as well as crocheting several table clothes 7 foot in diameter. She made several “bed dolls” and donated them to the Wild Peach VFD for their annual fundraiser.

Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing on Friday August 22nd from 6-9 PM and again on Saturday August 23rd from 9-10 AM at C.T. Baker Funeral Home 634 S. Columbia Dr. West Columbia.  Her funeral service will begin on Saturday August 23rd at 10:00 AM at the funeral home.         At Billie Sue’s request, she will be laid to rest next to her former husband and lifelong friend Kenneth Ray at the Colonial Cemetery on County Road 342 in Brazoria, TX.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.ctbakerfuneral.com