Billie Edmonson

 Billie Jo Edmonson passed from this life on December 30, 2023, at the age of 94, in Cleveland, Oklahoma.

Billie was born on March 21, 1929, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to William Franklin and Eythel Addie (Barnes) Thurman.  Billie grew up and attended elementary school at Rosevelt Elementary.  In 1936, Billie contracted tuberculosis of the spine and had first-of-its-kind surgery at St. John's Hospital, sponsored by the Shriners in Tulsa.  At 16, Billie quit school and began working at the Western Union, later moved to Washington and worked at the Naval Base Kitsap Keyport building torpedoes during the War effort in 1945.  In 1946, Billie returned to Tulsa, met Charles Edward Harvey, and was later united in marriage on November 7, 1946.  In April of 1949, Billie and Ed moved to Bell, California.  Later, in 1952, they moved to North Long Beach, and in 1959, they moved to Baldwin Park before purchasing a home in Valinda, California.  While in California, she was active with Pop Warner Football, where she served as Auxiliary President, Bluebird Leader, and Cub Scout Leader.  During the weekends, Billie and Ed would take the family to their cabin in Big Bear and take the kids to the beaches in Southern California.  Returning to Tulsa in 1969, Billie and Ed sold their home and floor covering business.   

In 1971, Billie and Ed purchased an acreage in Terlton, Oklahoma.  They built their home with a large garden, raised pigs, and hatched chickens.  Following the death of Ed in 1973, Billie remained in Terlton in 1977; she began working as a Youth Guidance Specialist at Loyd E. Rader.  In 1983, Billie met Jim Edmonson, and 1984 the couple was united in marriage.  Billie continued working at L.E. Rader and retired in 1989.  Following retirement, she started working as a private care nurse, retiring at 62.

Billie loved her dogs, Sooner softball, watching ice skating, sewing, and having a vast doll collection.  Billie was active in the Lady's Oriental Shrine of North America, Looney Ladies, Indian Unit.  She was also a member of the Mannford VFW, Tulsa Eastern Star, and Red Hat Society member.  

Survivors include her children Eddie Harvey and wife Karen of Bishop, California, Dennis Harvey of Cleveland, Oklahoma; Anita Tabor and husband Kenny of Cleveland, Oklahoma; daughter in law Lisa Harvey; one brother Robert Thurman and wife Mary Ellen of Tulsa, Oklahoma; grandchildren Eddie, Bobby, Kristina, April, Dennis II, Amber, Kenny, Scott, Jordan, Brad, Phillip, Billie, Tia, Matthew; thirty-five great grandchildren, two great children and a host of other relatives and friends.  Billie was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Harvey, Jim Edmonson, father William Thurman, mother Eythel Thurman; two siblings, Roy Thurman and Melva Dean, children Mike Harvey and Kevin Harvey; and granddaughter, Shelly Harvey.

Services will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, January 5, 2024, at the Chapman-Black Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Jimmy Harvey officiating.  The burial will be held in the Terlton Cemetery at Terlton, Oklahoma.  Chapman-Black Funeral Home will be handling the arrangements.  Friends and family may visit an online guest book and memorial page for Billie at www.chapman-black.com.