Billie Faye (Lovelace) Posey passed away on March 2, 2024, in Fullerton, California, at the age of 86. Billie was born in Florence, Alabama on February 19, 1938. She grew up in Florence, with her younger sister, Barbara (Bobbie), and a large extended family. In her younger years, her grandma and many of her aunts, uncles and cousins lived close by. Billie fondly remembered summers when she, her sister and their cousins would run over to grandma’s for breakfast. She and sister would pool their nickel allowances so they could share the largest soda pop in the cooler and a snack from her uncle’s store.
Billie graduated from Central High School in Florence, Alabama. She became interested in working for the airlines when she and her sister took their first flight from California to Memphis when they were girls. The day after high school graduation, Billie flew to California with her grandma, to start airline training school in Hollywood. Billie and grandma arrived at her beloved Aunt Doris and Uncle Frank’s home in Long Beach on a Saturday, and the next day she met the man who would become her husband when Aunt Doris invited George Posey to come for lunch after church. Billie and George married in 1956 and moved to a newly built home in Buena Park soon after.
Billie continued to work at Western Airlines at LAX until her first daughter, Jeana, was born. Her son, Jeff, arrived 11 months later, and her daughter, Donna, arrived a year and a half later. When her children were grown, Billie returned to work in the accounting department at Amcon Industries and then continued working at its parent company, Nutrilite, in Buena Park until her retirement in 2000.
Billie was a devoted mother and wife. The family spent summer vacations in Alabama whenever they could. Billie and George moved the family to Fullerton in 1976, and she lived there until she passed away. She enjoyed gardening, listening to and reading the news, her cats, and talking with people. She was the best mom, and we will miss her very much.
Billie was preceded in death by her husband, George Elvin Posey; father, Marvin V. Lovelace; and mother, Della Young Lovelace. Billie is survived by her sister, Barbara (David) Collum; daughters, Jeana Opsteegh and Donna Nichols; son, Jeff (Sarah) Posey; grandchildren, Michael Opsteegh, Paul (Shekinah) Opsteegh, Eric Edillon, Sophia (Jacen) Crumbo, Chelsye (Jonathan) Beggs, Breanne Reno, and Davis Posey; and great-grandchildren, Tyler, Aiden, Isla and Isla’s baby sister (coming soon). A memorial service will be held at a later date.