Billie Jean Callaway Smith

Billie Jean Callaway Smith

Wrens, GA –               Billie Jean Howard Callaway Smith, 80, loving wife of 31 years to Myiron Coven Smith, entered into her eternal rest Friday night, July 30, 2021 at Warrenton Health and Rehabilitation Center. Services to celebrate her life will be held in the James Funeral Home Chapel at 11:00 A.M., Tuesday morning, August 3, 2021 with Reverend Chad Watkins officiating. Interment will follow in the Wrens Memorial Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. Monday evening, August 2, 2021.

One of four children born to the late Louise Favors Howard and the late William Augustus Howard, Billie Jean was a native of Wilkes County. A 1959 graduate of Washington-Wilkes High School where she was known for her skills on the basketball court, she married and started her family. After moving to Wrens in 1968, she worked for Polly Thigpen where she developed her florist skills and opened Callaway Flower Shop in 1970. She had a love for flowers, gardening and fishing. Billie Jean loved her Lord and Savior, faithfully serving Him at Wrens United Methodist Church. A tireless worker and faithful Christian woman, she made certain her sons grew up having more and better opportunities than she did. A great cook, she loved sharing meals with her family and church family. Gregarious by nature, she loved talking with friends and meeting new people.  Her love for others, especially her church family, was only exceeded by her love for God and her family.  Billie Jean’s great sense of humor, her big, happy laugh, and her generous loving spirit will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Billie Jean is also preceded in death by her son, Merrill Jeffery Callaway; and two siblings, Judith Howard and Douglas Howard. Others left to cherish her memories include her sons, Mike Callaway (Melissa), Mark Callaway (Michelle) and Chris Callaway (Rosie); step-children, Marty Smith (Evonne), Darlene Holcomb (Tony), James Smith and Randy Smith (Marcia); a brother, Sonny Howard (Jan); grandchildren, Wyatt Callaway, Chanler Callaway and Connor Callaway.

Serving as pallbearers will be Burton Dye, Edward Rabun, Larry Rhodes, Coven Smith, Michael Smith and Brad West. Her cherished Griswald Sunday School class will serve as honorary pallbearers.

The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to the Wrens UMC Kitchen Fund, a project near and dear to Billie Jean.  Please mail memorials to Wrens United Methodist Church, 202 Russell Street, Wrens GA 30833.