Billie Jean Hamm

Billie Jean Hamm died peacefully in her sleep on December 29, 2015 Mineola, Texas at age 87. She was born in Sweetwater, Texas on July 16, 1928 to James Grover and Ida Azora Andrews, the youngest of their six children. She was preceded in death by her parents and three sisters; Joyce Bickerdike, Ruth Duncan and Marie Strickler; two brothers, Buddy Andrews and Kid Andrews. She was also preceded by her husband of 44 years, J.A. (Jake) Tull. Together they shared their life and livelihood, to include running a tomato farm, a peach orchard, a salvage business, a chicken farm, a gas station/garage, a cattle ranch and race track, to name a few. Whatever they did, they did together. They lived a rich and colorful life, full of precious memories. She later married Delbert Hamm, who preceded her in death in 2011. Although their time together was short, it was a blessing to both of them.

Billie was a very talented person. During her childhood her dad and brothers would play the mandolin and guitar while she and her sisters sang. She learned to harmonize when she was ten years old. Her dad bought her a guitar for her twelfth birthday, and she learned to play it by ear, then later taught herself to play the piano. She also loved to draw, paint, sew and cook. Her favorite thing was to share good times with her family and friends, preferably around her kitchen table.

Mrs. Hamm was an active member of Kildare Baptist Church where she sang in the choir and filled in occasionally as pianist.

She is survived by her sons, Terry Watson and wife Janice of Avinger, Roger Tull and wife Veronica of Bivins; daughter, Sylvia La Rue and husband Ike of Mineola; Ronnie Hamm and wife Jina of Kildare and Steve Hamm and wife Karen of Kildare; grandchildren, Tish Carpenter of Arp, Robert Watson of Chapel Hill, Christie McBride of Murphy, Blake La Rue of Stephenville, Holli Collins of Tyler and Trevor Tull of Tyler, Katherine Chassin of Rusk; fourteen great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of her life will be held on Friday, January 1, 2016 at 11:00 AM at Beaty Funeral Home, 5396 S. State Hwy 37, Mineola, Texas 75773 officiated by Bro. Jim Parker. Family will receive visitors at the funeral home at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at Kildare Cemetery in Kildare, Texas at 3:00PM officiated by Bro. Virgil Ragland.