Loretta K. Billingsley, 92, passed away August 7, 2008 at Emory Hospital from heart failure. One of 12 children born to Polish immigrants, she grew up in Garfield, New Jersey. In 1947, the former model moved to Decatur with her husband, Joseph Wilson Billingsley, Sr. They were founding members of St. Thomas More Catholic Church and School. When she was widowed in 1963 with 8 children, she began a new career as an administrative assistant at St. Pius X Catholic High School where she worked for 18 years. Through her hard work and sacrifices, all 8 of her children attended St. Thomas More School, St. Pius X High School and graduated from college. All went on to professional careers. She continued working in education, taking an administrative position at Renfroe Middle School until her retirement in 1991. She loved learning and attended college, earning an Associates Degree in her sixties. She was a 35 year breast cancer survivor. She was known for her gourmet cooking and always brought wonderful baked goods to share when she volunteered each month at the Cancer Pad Sewing Group at St. Thomas More, where she was an active member for over fifty years. She is preceded in death by her husband and three of her children, Lorna Billingsley Pais, Rose Ann Billingsley and Joseph Wilson Billingsley, Jr. She is survived by five children, Jane Hoffman, Dr. Donna Billingsley, Christopher Billingsley, Loretta Billingsley and Alan Billingsley, and one sister, Peci K. Dombal, five grandchildren, loving in-laws, numerous nieces, and nephews. Visitation and rosary at A.S. Turner & Sons, Decatur on Sunday, August 10th, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Mass of the Resurrection will be at St. Thomas More Catholic Church Monday, August 11th at 11:00 a.m. Donations may be made to the STM Capital Campaign. A. S. Turner & Sons
