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Emma “Molly” Clara Billingsley, age 90, of Flora, Illinois, passed away Wednesday November 11, 2020, at her home.
She was born February 21, 1930, in Oetisheim, Germany, the daughter of Otto and Marie (Holzapfel) Neubold. She was united in marriage to Lowell Edwin Billingsley on November 18, 1947, in Ludwigsburg, Germany.
Molly enjoyed an idyllic childhood with 3 sisters and loving parents. She often reminisced and romanticized about the beauty of Germany and her childhood. She met Eddie Billingsley, a U.S. serviceman, at the age of 16. He became her only boyfriend. They were required to be married three times, by German authorities, by American authorities, and in her family church, all of which took place in Germany. They remained devoted to each other and married for 73 years.
Molly and Eddie started Billingsley Electric and they worked together to make it a success. Eddie was the electrician and Molly took care of the appointments, ordering, and billing. They later purchased the Flora Dairy Queen and operated it for many years. Molly loved to pull little kids through the front window so that they could make their own cones. The government would have a fit with that today! Their final business was the Rax Restaurant. Molly loved cooking, baking, and talking to the public. She especially enjoyed working with young employees to train them on cleanliness, product creation, and handling money. Her strong work ethic and honorable character was always on display for others to see and emulate.
Molly filled her later years enjoying her home and family. Along with decorating her home, Molly cooked German food, made stained glass, created porcelain dolls, and arranged flowers. She loved pretty things and everything she touched was a work of art. Her meals were like no other and her greatest thrill was having her entire family home and gathered around the table. She particularly enjoyed visiting with her kids and grandkids.
She is survived by her husband: Ed Billingsley of Flora; a son: Richard and wife Cathy (Zink) Billingsley of Mesquite, NV; a daughter-in-law: Melissa Beert of Flora; grandchildren: Tristan Billingsley of Columbia, MO, Chynna Billingsley LoRusso and husband Josiah of Kirkwood, MO, and Jonathon Billingsley and wife Jesteen of Flora; several great-grandchildren; 2 sisters: Trudy Newbold of Flora and Karin Neubold Boerner of Ludwigsburg, Germany; and a nephew: Rudiger Bruesch of Muelacker, Germany.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a son: David Billingsley; a grandson: Tony Billingsley; and a sister: Hilde Neubold Bruesch.
The family would like to extend a very special and warm thank you to the nurses Tammy, Jennifer, Stacy, Kris, and Vickie and other care providers from the Clay County Hospice as well as to Kari Hagen, Donna Smith, Linda Hatcher, and Tina Otto. Their loving and tender care of Molly in her last days was truly a Godsend.
A private funeral ceremony will be held with entombment in Elmwood Cemetery, Flora. Arrangements are in the care of Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to Clay County Hospice and will be accepted through the funeral home.
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So sorry for your loss prayers to u all.
loved Molly so much .I will miss her..blessings to her family.
I’m so sorry to hear this. One of the loveliest ladies in the world! She will be very missed! I loved her smile and zest for life ... not to mention her sweet accent ... and her cooking! My thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless you!
Dear, sweet, Molly......you will always hold a special place in my heart as my 1rst boss. I learned so much from you. Making change w/o a cashregister, my love of cooking. Come straight to mind. Thank you so much because of you, I owned and operated many sucessful restaurants. ❤
What a beautiful story of Molly’s life. My condolences to your family.
I am truly sorry for your loss. What a kind person she was. I was one of those individuals that benefited by her teaching as I was able to work at Rax many years ago. She truly cared about others and made a difference in so many peoples lives. What a great legacy to leave behind..... Such a great family. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
I always enjoyed talking to Molly and Trudy when they would stop in at the insurance office. Very special lady and will be missed by so many . Thinking of the family in the days ahead.
She truly was a wonderful woman and her sister Trudy as well. Prayers be with you all.
I had the pleasure of meeting Molly back when I was in high school and worked at Rax restaurant. Molly would come in on the weekends and help prep cook for the buffet. She taught me so much about cooking and many things that I learned from her are still with me to this day. She was such a sweet lady and I know she will be missed by all who knew her. May God bring your family comfort during your loss, and may you always cherish the wonderful memories of Molly.
I started working at DQ for Molly & Eddie when I was 14. They were great people to work for & with. I remember for our Christmas parties we would go to their house for food ,fun & sledding down their big hill-when we used to get alot of snow for Christmas. I remember singing Silent Night in German that Molly taught us,and eating her amazing Italian Creme Cake!!! I will always remember in the evenings she would tell us at work " you need to hurry up with your cleaning ,you're gonna make Eddie late for his date" . She never knew a stranger at the DQ ! I will forever miss her smiling face! She taught me alot the 20 some years I worked there. Hugs & prayers go out to all of the family. Rest in peace Molly.
Molly was such a sweet lady. My son was one of those kids that Molly brought in and let them make their own ice cream cone. That was special just as Molly was special. No matter where you met her she was nice and asked about my kids. She always had a loving smile that warmed your heart. Loved her. She will definitely be missed and remembered with a smile.
So sorry to hear of your Mother's passing, your family is in my prayers.
Our sympathies to you dear Melissa and family. You are in our prayers.
I remember going to Molly’s house on Rider St with my mom Teresa Phillips. Mom was from Italy and Molly from Germany. They both had accents and I loved to hear them talk. Every timeI saw Molly out and about she seemed so happy to see me and we would talk and talk about my mom and old times. She was such a lovely lady.
Sweet ,,,Sweet Molly... As a neighbor growing up she was the one all the kids loved. Then many years later my brother married into the family and she was always there for whatever was needed. Which included treating his family like her own. You were so appreciated by everyone that you ever came into their life... I know you are flying high with the angels because you were an angel on Earth... The Martin Family
Molly was a blessing to me.they lived beside my grandparents for many years. As a child. I got to visit them alot. I loved Molly and ed so much. Molly taught me alot of her cooking. And later on at rax. She was so loved. Kind women. Bless her family. My heart breaks. Love you molly
I remember going with my mom(Teresa Phillips) to visit Molly when she lived on Rider St. Mom was from Italy and Molly from Germany. They both had a lot to talk about. I remember they both had accents and I loved to hear them talk.
Molly was a very special Lady.I loved working with her at Rax.She took use UNDER HER WINGS.SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.
Eddie, Trudie, and all of the family. I Loved being in cardiac rehab with you all. We had good times. Molly was such a beautiful and loving lady/ She made you feel good anytime you were around her. She will be missed by all those that knew her. Prayers for all of the family. Rest in Peace, Molly.
SO SORRY SHE WAS THE BEST I STILL HAVE MY CHRISTMAS GIFT SHE GAVE ME AT RAX CHRISTMAS PARTY I LOVE IT STAIN GLASS ANGEL
Molly was such a special lady. We had so much fun with her and Eddie in glass class. We were so sad when they had to quit coming to class. Over the years we have lost some really special people and Molly was among the best. Prayer for family and hugs and love to Eddie. Hope to see him someday soon.
I first met Molly when her husband, Eddie, worked for Tri-Gas in Flora. Such a beautiful, sweet lady. She taught me how to sing Stille Night, (Silent Night) in German so I could teach it to my Kindergarten students in Louisville, IL. Every time I saw Molly, she invited me to come see her house on the hill across from Charley Brown Park.
So very sorry for your loss. One of my favorite memories was when Molly taught me how to make pie crust. My pies are still a hit to this day. Her German Apple Cheesecake was the best. Fly high Molly you were such a sweet lady!
Ginny and I have fond memories being next door neighbors for several years. Mollie always shared that heartwarming smile and quite often treated us with her baking talents. Her Christmas cookies were the greatest of all. They were not only tasty but beautifully displayed and given with a joyful spirit. Sharing those special moments will continue to be in our memories. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Eddie, (a fatherly example), Trudy and the family.
Molly was always smiling when I seen her. She would always grab me and give me a big hug. I enjoyed talking with her. She will be greatly missed by so many people. Prayers and hugs to all of you.
Ed, we are so sorry to learn about Molly. She was such a sweet and precious lady. Sending our prayers to you and your family.
Ed and Molly built a home just down the street—Rider Street—from us when I was growing up in the 1950s I remember wonderful family meals at Molly’s table and the fabulous German potato salad she fed us. I remember how doting Trudy was—and the kindness and sweetness of both of them. Heartfelt condolences to Ed and family.
We always enjoyed visiting with Molly and Ed at the picnics at Kiwanis Park. We especially enjoyed Molly's food.
What can we say, but, Molly was one of a kind. She was so sweet and kind and always so thoughtful, making you feel special. It was our pleasure to to get to know Molly, Eddie, Trudy and the rest of the family. All such fine people. Molly will certainly be missed by all who knew and loved her. She was a treasure.
May you find peace during this difficult time know we have been praying for your comfort and know your memories of Molly will always be in your hearts
What a beautiful lady. My daughter worked at DQ for her back in the day. She learned industry and work ethic from that wonderful lady.
Molly’s smile could light up a room. The world is poorer from her loss.
Sorry for your loss of one you loved so dearly. Sending love and prayers for your family. Her love leaves behind seeds of love that will continue to grow in all that knew her. May God hold you close during this time of sadness. Sincerely the Family of John and Rochelle Zink.
To Molly's family - she was such a beautiful, gentle woman. My heart goes out to you as you face the loss. Her smile was one of a kind, and I can close my eyes and remember the sweet way she said the names of her loved ones - so full of love and joy!
My sincere sympathy to the family! I met her when she brought her son to Kindergarten my first year of teaching. A lovely lady and I have enjoyed her friendship through the years.
Beautiful tribute to a truly Beautiful lady. I loved the story you shared from the days at the DQ... so like her to “make everyone else feel special”. I cherish all my memories of our times together in Florida. Hearing all her wonderful stories, sharing recipes, playing cards, Sunday get togethers for dinners or going out. Molly was one of the sweetest, kindest people I have ever met and I loved her dearly. My sincere condolences to Eddie and Trudy and the entire family. She was an Angel on earth and now she has her actual wings ❤️
Miss Molly was the sweetest person I ever knew. I will treasure the many memories of the good times we had in Florida. The angels that her and Eddie made will always be special to me. My sincere condolences to Eddie, Trudy and Family
My love and sympathy Eddie,Melissa and Trudy. Loved Molly had so much fun in stained glass class also love you Eddie and Melissa. She will be missed such a talented interesting loving lady
So sorry for your loss! Many great childhood memories of Molly and her hospitality growing up on Rider St. One of the sweetest ladies I have ever known. She will be greatly missed.
I'm so sorry to hear this. I looked forward to working with Molly every Sunday at Rax. She was a wonderful woman and will be missed greatly.
So sad I can't be there for my best friend. My heart aches for all of you.
Ed and Trudy, I am so sorry for your loss, and grieve with you. Molly was a delight to be around. She was always full of joy. I never saw her frown or be unhappy. To try to follow in her footsteps would be impossible. I am thankful to have known her. God bless and sustain you. Remember all the good times, and now she's with Jesus. Praise God.
Ryan, Where is my message of condolence?? DB
Molly was very special--kind, loving, and generous. One of a kind, she leaves a hole in many hearts.
Such a beautiful and special lady, and I thank God for the honor of knowing her and know her memory will always remain in my heart'
such A SWEET SWEET LADY, WE ALL WILL MISS HER BUT LONG REMEMBER HER, TOUCHED SO MANY LIVES, SO BLESSED TO HAVE KNOWN HER,
What a sweet sweet lady. Molly had a heart as big as all outdoors! She had a never ending smile and was a great motivator. I loved working for her at the DQ back in my teens many years ago. She will truly be missed.
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