Billye Jo Fowlkes

Graveside services for Billye Jo “Mammy” Fowlkes, of Tulsa, were held Thursday, December 29, 2011 at Rest Haven Cemetery in Sperry, OK. Reverend Johnnie Jones officiated. Casket bearers were Chris Nail, Charles Arnold, III, Blain Fowlkes, Zachary Powers, Trevor Cary, Ben Smith, Greg Treanor, Colton Evans, Tyler Trentman, and Dominique Franks. Honorary casket bearers were Joe Gurnsey, Joe Carmack, Bertha Lea Rothammer, Roger Quiett, Tom Alyea, and Vickie Ogden.

Billye was born April 25, 1930 in Tulsa, OK to Jimmy Ray and Lillie Ella (Dicus) Lyon. She passed away December 26, 2011 in Tulsa, OK at the age of 81.

Billye was raised by her aunt and uncle; Margaret and Lee Dicus. Billye graduated from Central High School.  She married Herb Turner in 1947, and was later divorced. She married Richard Fowlkes in 1954 and they divorced in 1985. Billye worked at Fo-Mac, Inc and volunteered her time and talents to Child Abuse Prevention Services, the American Red Cross, Tulsa Girls Softball Federation and many others. She was a Girl Scout Leader, Sunday school teacher and carpool mom. She enjoyed flowers, birds, good food and good music. Billye performed on stage and vaudeville. She also loved to ice skate. Billye was the youngest member of WBA at age 13.
An avid fisherman, she was instrumental in forming the first women’s bass club, the Tulsa Bass Belles as well as the Oklahoma Lady Anglers. She supported Oklahoma Wildlife efforts and fishing safety by participating in classes and seminars.  She promoted a fishing tournament for children and was one of the first people to involve young girls in the sport.  Billye loved life, lived it to the fullest and faced it head on with everything she had.  Throughout her life, she was involved in helping children.  Her home was always open to anyone, especially teens.  It was a place for them to feel safe.  Her biggest and never ending love was her grandchildren.  She left a lasting love to her children, grands, greats and friends.  She showed us by example that life was to be lived, family/friends were to be loved and most importantly that everyone should laugh and smile.

Billye is survived by her children Doug Fowlkes and wife Kathy, Tom Pillow, Brent Fowlkes and Tina Moss, Lynn Arnold and husband Charles, and Kerri Cary and husband Andy.  She is also survived by her grandchildren, Julie Brown (Jerrad Brown), Courtney Treanor (Greg Treanor),  Zachary Powers, Hanna Fowlkes (Eric Durham), Blain Fowlkes, Elizabeth Arnold (Ben Smith), Katherine Arnold, Charles Arnold III, Chris Nail, Shawna Cary, Trevor Cary (Lisa Thorpe),  Shilo Cary.  She also enjoyed her piggy toe kids (great grandchildren) Kyva Smith, Lillian Durham and Addison Cary.  Billye is also survived by lifetime friends Bertha Lea Rothammer and Vickie Ogden.

She was preceded in death by Richard, her parents and many aunts/uncles.  She also lost one of her closest friends, Jean Alyea.