February 23, 1934 ~ November 11, 2004
Billie Jean Red Zellmer was born February 23, 1934, and left us Thursday, November 11, 2004. She was a very young 70.
We are here to pay respect to Billie Jean and to remember her and some of who she was to us.
Billie Jean was the daughter of Theo and Idell Red of Oklahoma City, OK. he graduated from Putnam Original in 1951, and in 1953, she met a very tall and handsome man by the name of Curtis Ray Zellmer. As she liked to put it, 'he just swept her off her feet' and after dating only 7 weeks they married and moved to Waco, TX. She worked for a few years and then decided to be a 'stay-at-homebody' as she liked to call it. In 1986, she retired with her husband to Lake Eufaula, OK, where they shared and enjoyed life with each other for many wonderful years.
Billie Jean was a devoted wife and mother, but even more ... she was Billie Jean. She was strong, warm-hearted, smart, funny and artistically gifted ... she believed in God, in her husband, in herself and in all those she loved. She enjoyed playing piano, painting, bowling, knitting and numerous other crafts and hobbies, and was always there to help others learn as well' if they so wished. It was said, if it could be made, she and Curtis could make it together ... and that pertained not only to things, but to all aspects of life as well. Throughout her life, Billie Jean was loved by all who met her; she knew no stranger, never lacked for conversation, and had a knack of making all feel welcome and appreciated ... and she will be greatly missed by many who had the pleasure of knowing her.
Billie Jean was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Carolyn Baker-Keller. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Curtis; daughter, Terri Lynn Wolschlager of Garland, TX; daughter, Sharon Reneau of Sherman, TX; daughter, Shiela Rohweder of San Antonio, TX; brother, Richard Red of Oklahoma City, OK; and aunt, Rickey Latture of Oklahoma City, OK. She is also survived by four loving grandchildren, Rebecca, Curtis, Blake and Brooke, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Nothing gave Billie Jean more happiness than to see those she loved to succeed and to be happy. Her smile and her laughter will be forever remembered ... and forever missed. We love you, Momma.
Guestbook
You were so much a part of our lives, Momma. There’s not a day goes by that we don’t all miss you. Your number one grandbaby, Becky (age 12) wrote on December 6, 2004: It flashes through my brain, Like a never ending train… Days go by and by, My eyes begin to cry. My grandmother has died…now I am terrified… I will never get to see her again. I guess she got your gift for poetry. I love you, Momma.
I love you Aunt Billie! My fondest memory was when we hugged each other and scratched each others back!
Terri Lynn and family. My heart and prayers go out to you for your loss. Your parents were lovely warm people and it was a pleasure to meet them. You know they were good people to have such fine women for daughters! Be strong and carry their legacy on!
I will forever remember Billie as my God-Mother but deep down inside she was more than that. Billie was always an inspiration to me, she encouraged education, proper values and integrity. I learned so much from Billie and will always be grateful for the times we had together.
I love you Momma……I set on your lap forever and you loved me with that unconditional love that only parents have. Though you may not be here physically, you continue to guide me with your wisdom and love. I can only hope to be half the Mom to Blake and Brooke that you were to me. I will see you again…. but this time I will pet you. With all my love, Shiela
To all the Great memories that I have when I was young staying the night in your home with one of my Best Friends your daughter Sheila, I keep them close in my Heart..
I thank my lucky stars that I am one of the fortunate people to have met, known and loved Billie. She is and always will be one of my two moms; she treated me and looked after me like her own. She was thoughtful, fun, creative, caring, and loving. I really do know that there aren’t enough words in my limited vocabulary to describe who she was and how much she meant to me; and all those lucky enough to be counted as her friends. The memories of my time with her and her wonderful family will forever remain with me. The world is less caring with her departure, but heaven is rejoicing with the addition of a very special angel. Terri, Sharon, Sheila take care of and be good to each other.
I enjoyed knowing Billie. She and Curtis are probably waltzing right now.
I will always remember playing Yatzee with Curtis & Billie at 2012 Travis in our “younger” years. I think of them often.
Hi Mommer … Just me, Teedle. This is a pooey week and I am really missing you, and I know you hear me talking to you all the time, but wanted to drop another note here … I think about you lots, even when I don’t talk to you … and I smile, because if nothing else you gave us kids lots of good memories. Goose and Bean and the kids miss you, too. Tell Dadder we love him, too. Finger hug … XOXOXOXOXOXO Your Baby #1
Hi Momma! I love you!!! Today is a hard day… and I miss you. I know you are happy with Daddy, but I miss you. The kids miss you soooo much and even Becky remembered today and what it was without a word from me. You would be so proud of those two. No… I know you’re proud as you look down on them and watch over them. I don’t think a daughter can put into words the love she has for her parents, especially parents like I had. But I know that I would never have to worry about that because you know what is in my heart. I did take your advice! Give Daddy a hug & kiss from me! I love you, Momma. You are always in my thoughts. XOXOXOXOXO Sharon Lee
Hi, Mommer … Mommy Day is coming in a few … I saw the prettiest tea roses last night, like I used to get you on Sundays when I worked at Sambo’s … pink ones … I sniffed up all their smell-good for you . I so wanted to pick up the phone and call and tell you … I do that a lot though, think to call you on the phone, even reach for it, and then realize I can’t. But then I talk out-loud to you … I hope you hear me … I know I do it a lot, so I hope you haven’t blocked me out from talking too much. So I thought I’d write you a note here, too, just in case. I miss and love you and Daddy so much … I feel so alone sometimes. I don’t know what they do up there for Mommy Day, but whatever it is, I hope you have the bestestest one possible. Hugs and kisses and finger-hug to you and Daddy both. P.S. — Remember how I used to think you had to always put a P.S. on letters? And you asked me what I thought P.S. stood for … and I said “Pleasant Saying” … and you laughed so hard … well, “P.S. … XOXOXO, I love you”.
Happy Anniversary, Mommer…. I love you a whole lot and miss you more than you will ever know. I wish I had you to talk to. Hope you two went dancing in the stars!!! And I’m glad you two have each other to share it with. XOXOXO Sharon
Hello Momma, You and Daddy have been on my mind a lot lately. I hope you see what I’m trying to do. You know how my heart works. I love you both so much and miss you. Time is suppose to make things easier… I remember the good things all so well… And the other times that I kinda fell. The travels, the visits and places of fun… The picking of “switches” – best not to run. I’m trying to teach your precious ones the same… Retelling life’s lessons they remember your name. Responsibility, knowledge, good morals and love… They know you are there watching above. I love you both and wish you were here… To hug me, scold me and lend me and ear. To guide me and teach me what I still don’t know… To open a present and save the bow. Never doubt what you meant to me… From your loving daughter, Sharon Lee.
Momma, I love you a whole lot… and I miss you even now. I so look forward to the day we meet again and hope that you will still give me a hug and be proud of me. Sometimes I hear you and Daddy when you’re in my dreams. I am trying to do things right. Please keep your arms around those two precious grandbabies and keep them safe. I love you and Daddy too!! Give each other kisses for me!! Sharon
Missing you Momma. It never gets easier but I know you’re looking down and watching your grand-babies. I love you, Momma. Life just hasn’t been the same since you and Daddy left. Holidays are just another day spent remembering years gone by. Tell Daddy love him too. Hugs and kisses from your loving daughter, Sharon Lee
In support of your awesome Daughters I just want to say that I can see how beautiful and loving a Momma you were to them. They all miss you very much and speak of you often. Much Love to you in Heaven till we all meet again. May God continue to Bless your Family, Amen!
Hi Mom, :-)))) Just “Me”…. thinking about you and Daddy. I’m sitting on the couch staring at the Christmas tree like I always have since I can remember. I wish you were here so I could hug you both. I keep your memories alive with the kiddos because the memories just kind of pop out. When they ask me things, I always have a story to tell or a lesson to pass on. Weird how that happens. LOL Sometimes I just reflect and brag about you so they know how wonderful you were and the many things we did as a family. Me being the daughter who was never gonna have kids….well I guess I was subcontiously paying attention, because I embraced it with love and devotion. I cherish every day I have with them. They will be grown and gone in a blink of an eye. We just laughed the other day about the time I tried to cook 4 lbs. of beans in a 2 lb. pot. I was so not a homemaker and still can’t cook worth a crap…but they eat :-)))) Blake is driving now and terrifying me daily. Brooke is still a pint size pistol. I pray you will be waiting for me when I get there and just hold me for a very long time. Keep watching Blake and Brooke grow and I love you both with all my heart. With much love, Shiela