Obituary of Billie Dooley

Billie Jean Goodwin Dooley, 88, wife of William Frank Dooley for 66 years, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 16, 2024.

Mrs. Dooley was born in Greenville to the late William Henry Goodwin and Louise Beatrice Crawford Goodwin.  She was a member of Wrenn Memorial Baptist Church and was retired from St. Francis Hospital Downtown. 

Billie Jean was so many things to so many people:  she was a mother to three, substitute mother to countless people including her 9 siblings.  She was a mentor, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, world traveler and moral guidepost.  More times than we can count, she gave of herself with no expectation of return.  She served as counselor, tour guide, chauffer, proudest parent at endless concerts, nurse and teacher.  Mother was a nutritionist before nutrition was cool.  She was a great gardener and cook.  She never ate out of a can unless she canned it herself.  None ever met her without considering her a friend.  She will be missed.

Surviving, in addition to her husband, are three daughters, Beth Duncan with husband Rev. Jim, Teresa DeGeer, and Janice Hayes with husband Brad; three brothers, Roger Goodwin with wife Dianna, Jeff Goodwin, and Jimmy Goodwin with wife Heidi; three sisters, Gwen Kuebler, Norma Smith with husband Alda, and Debbie Schonfield; eight grandchildren, Cheri Breazeale, Megan Reyes with husband Lucio, Jimmy Duncan with wife Laura, Rebecca Doane with husband Mark, Jonathan Duncan with wife Rebecca, Alex Burger, Jacob Miller and Caroline Miller; and seven great-grandchildren, Kaiya, Brayden, Olivia, Mandie, Eli Grace, Kirsten and Colton Mack.  She was predeceased by two brothers, Jerry Goodwin and Tony Goodwin; and a sister, Linda Gage.

A Celebration of Billie’s Life will be at 1 o’clock Friday at Wrenn Memorial Baptist Church.  The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service.  Burial will be at Graceland East Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.