Billie Grace (Ketchem) Clark, 85, went home to be with the Lord peacefully on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at her home with family after a hard-fought illness. Billie was born on June 29, 1940, in Slocomb, Alabama to her mother Audrey Mae (White) (Ketchem) Wilson and her father Shelby Ketchem.
She is survived by her daughter, Terri Lyn (Boyles) Jennings (Robert); two sons, Gregory Clark and Grant Clark. Eight grandchildren, Ashley (Boyles) Martin-Culet (Michael), Amber (Boyles) Bibiloni (David), Christopher Knoff (Ashley), Jessica (Knoff) Garcia, Samantha Knoff, Jonathan Knoff, Courtney (Knoff) Allen (Michael) and Brittany Clark (Dustin); and sixteen great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death is her husband of 50 years, Gerald (Jerry) Kavanaugh Clark(2009) and her loving parents.
Billie Grace was born and raised in Slocomb, Alabama. Throughout her youth, she was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Slocomb. She was a graduate of Slocomb High School in 1957. During her senior year, she was the school, county, and district winner of the Birmingham News Oratorical Contest. She progressed to the state finals in Birmingham, AL., where she was awarded a college scholarship. In pursuit of her major in Elementary Education and a Minor in music, she attended Birmingham-Southern College in Birmingham, AL. and Troy University in Troy, AL. During the summer months, she attended the University of Alabama Extension Center in Dothan, AL. Billie Grace was blessed with intelligence, wit, and beauty. She was Geneva County’s Maid of Cotton in 1958, was voted Sophomore Beauty at Troy University in1959. She was a member of the Collegiate Singers, Baptist Student Union and Music Educator’s National Conference. Her sorority at Birmingham-Southern was Pi Beta Phi and as an adult, she was an active member of Beta Sigma Phi, an international service, cultural, and social sorority for women.
During the early years of her marriage, Billie Grace was a homemaker, where she devoted her time to her husband and three children. Her husband was in retail management for the F.W. Woolworth Company for 35 years and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. for 12 years. They traveled to and lived in many different cities throughout the Southeastern part of the United States. When the children were older, Billie began her career. She was a Sales Analyst for the Regional Office of American Cryogenics, a Sales and Market Research Specialist involving organizing in-store promotions and radio commercials, a Sales Trainer and Sales Representative for the Southeast region for Bic Corporation for 15 years. Billie also worked for the Duval County Public School System in Jacksonville, FL for 13 years. She worked in Special Education for one year and in the Library Media Center for 12 years. She retired in 2004.
Billie Grace was proud of her upbringing and of her small town of Slocomb, Alabama. The values that she had learned from her family and friends in that small town stayed with her throughout her lifetime. She had a passionate love and gift for writing poetry and short stories. She enjoyed collecting antiques and spending time with her family. She was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She always looked for the good in others and was a loyal and trusted friend. She loved deeply and touched so many lives. Above all, she loved the Lord with all her heart and is rejoicing in Heaven.
A memorial service for Billie Grace will be held at Thomas B Dobies Funeral Home on February 26, 2026, at 2 pm.
Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Home- Hudson Chapel
9944 Hudson Ave.
Hudson, FL 34667
(727) 868-4441
Era Jo Harris Holmes
February 14, 2026, 2:06 pm
All of my love and prayers are with you. Billie Grace was a lifetime friend and I will miss her.
We grew up together and loved each other. She, being and only child, loved to be at my house with all of my large family. We loved sitting around our “turning table,” holding hands and Daddy saying grace over the food.
There is a special place in my heart just for her.
Melanie Bibiloni
February 15, 2026, 2:48 am
My prayer is to Billie’s beautiful family and friends. May the Peace of the Lord fill your hearts with His comfort. Billie touched the hearts of everyone with her gentle and loving ways. I will miss our conversations. I learned how deeply Billie’s love for the Lord is. Because of her faith she is young, healthy & happy in His presence. Love you Billie
Jane N. Davidson
February 16, 2026, 4:31 pm
I was fortunate enough to knows Billie Grace throughout our high school; years at Slocomb High. We were members of a group that called ourselves the “Eagles”‘. We did absolutely EVERYTHING together and we ALWAYS had each other’s backs/ She was a WONDERFUL empathetic person who held other people’s feelings first.
She will be sorely missed by alll who knew her.
See you on the other side, Billie G.
jane Davidson
February 16, 2026, 4:42 pm
Billie Grace was one off my dearest friends in Slocomb High School. We belonged to a group that we called the “Eagles”
We were always together and always had each other’s backs. I had the pleasure of having a lengthy conversation with her just before here death. She told me that she wasn’t suffering and was with those she cared about.
She was a WONDERFUL person and will always be remembered by those who knew her,
See you on the other side, B.G.
jane Davidson
February 16, 2026, 5:15 pm
Billie Grace was one of my dearest friends in Slocomb High School, We formed a group that we called Talkie Eagles. There were 5 of us land wet did EVERYTHING together. Wedformed a bond that was UNBREAKABLE.
I will always cherish the time we all spent together
RIP Billie G
See you on the other side.
Michelle Knoff
February 26, 2026, 9:12 pm
I meant Billie through some of her grandchildren. She truly wanted the best for all of them. Billie was a staunch advocate for them and helped orchestrate stability for them. She once said something that has resonated with me for years. We were discussing family relationships and the future. She said, “I think the more people you have in your life that love you, means you are richer in many ways.” I felt that was wise and welcomed her interaction. She always sent kind and beautiful cards. Now that she is in heaven, I hope she continues to intervene in all of our lives to help us develop the relationships she would want for all of us.
Liz Martin-Culet
February 27, 2026, 2:23 pm
I had the privilege of knowing Billie for 20 years. I loved talking with her and hearing her life experiences. She was always smiling and soft spoken. I thought of her as a true Southern Belle. I love her and will deeply miss her.