Grace Elizabeth Clarke Billings

Grace Elizabeth Billings, age 82, of Albia died, Sunday, February, 17, 2008 at the Monroe Care Center. Grace was born July 6, 1925, to Lee Roy and Amy (Stewart) Clarke in Albia. On October 24, 1943, she married Bob Orval Billings at the Albia E.U.B. Church. Bob died March 3, 2004. Grace was a graduate of Albia High School, class of 1943. After working as a cashier at Hy-Vee Food Store in Albia for 18 years, she continued her education by attending Indian Hills Community College graduating in 1970. Soon afterward she became a service representative and office manager for the United Telephone Company in Albia and remained in that capacity until closure of the office ten years later. Grace was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, the Builders Sunday School Class and Martha Circle, Grace was very active serving on many church committees. Her community activities included the Oak View Cemetery Board, Albia Woman's Club, and the Monroe County Historical and Genealogy Societies. In the late eighties Grace wrote the column "Touches of the Past - Looking Back" for the Albia Newspaper. At home she enjoyed trying new recipes, sewing and doing genealogical and historical research. Traveling was another favorite activity whether by car, air, or an ocean cruise. Her family, home, and friends were the most important, and her love for them had no age limit enjoying young and old alike. Grace is survived by one son, Ronald Richard(Norma) Billings of Longmont, CO.; two daughters, Penny Lee (Dennis) Inman of Muscatine, IA; Lori Lynette (Daniel) Hendrickson o f Longmont, CO. Also eight grandchildren ; Brenda Lynn Billings (Parker) Ridgley, Bobbi Renee Billings (Michael) Sindelar, Brain Neal (Patricia) Billings all of Firestone, CO., Anthony Scott (Mary) Inman of Holland, MI., Heather DeAnn Inman, Muscatine, IA., Andrew August, Ross Alexander and Ashleigh Allyse Hendrickson of Longmont, CO.; and 10 great-grandchildren, Parker Jr. and Gillian Ridgley, Clinton, Hunter, Dylan, and Katelin Sindelar, Aspen, Slylar, and Lily Billings, and David Inman; and a sister, Kathleen Mitchell, of Albia. Grace was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bob, and a sister, Jean Stevenson, all of Albia.

Grace Elizabeth Clarke Billings

February 17, 2008