Carole Reese Billingsley born in Cayce, SC. on January 27, 1939 to Eureka and Leroy Reese. She moved to Hamlet, NC with her family in the 1940’s. Carole grew up in Hamlet attending Hamlet High School as a member of the class 1957. She continued her education at the Hamlet Nursing School. Carole met Roy M. Billingsley from Hamlet and married in 1959. Carole, Roy, son Mitch moved to Cary, NC where Roy attended NC State and the family expanded with two more sons Marc and Carl. They remained in the Raleigh area while Roy finished his education at NC State. The family moved to Richmond, VA in 1962 after Roy graduated, where he became an educator and Carole focused on raising the sons.  Carole went back to work while continuing to raise her sons eventually retiring from A.H. Robins Pharmaceuticals. Roy and Carole retired in Ashland, VA. Carole was tasked to care for Roy who suffered a head injury from a fall and her son Marc who suffered from a brain tumor in the mid 1990’s. Carole provided all the care for Roy and Marc by handling all health, financial and day to day needs. Her life was caring for the ones she loved. Carole faced her own health crisis in 2009 when diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. Carole fought hard and beat the cancer surviving well past the 9 months she was advised as the probable expectant survival.
 
Carole was welcomed home by our Lord and Savior on September 24, 2017. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Billingsley; her son, Marc Billingsley; and her granddaughter, Kristin Billingsley.

Carole is survived by her sons, Mitch Billingsley and wife, Patti of Rockville, VA; Carl Billingsley and his wife, Melanie of Charlotte; grandchildren, Jamie (Hillary), Ashleigh Kaye (JT), Kindell (Patric), Courtney, Matt and Michael; great-grandchildren, Caroline and Camden Billingsley and Maddox Trobaugh; adoring sister, Patty McLaurin (Ronnie) of Pine Bluff; dedicated sister-in-law, Page Billingsley of Raleigh; special nephew, Jimmy Raines of Chesterfield, VA and her loving Dachshund, Marley.

Carole is best remembered for her love of family, especially her children and grandchildren. She was a caregiver to both Roy and Marc for years, demonstrating her selfless dedication to each. Gran, as she was affectionately known as, loved shopping especially with and for her grandchildren and was quite the savvy antique collector. Because of her determined spirit, she was an inspiration to all following her cancer diagnosis. Her family finds solace in knowing that she is with God and whole again.

Services will be conducted graveside Saturday, January 27,  2018 in Mary Love Cemetery in Hamlet at 1:00 pm with Rev. Deb Wilkins officiating.

The family requests that memorials be made to First United Methodist Church, 300 Charlotte Street, Hamlet, NC 28345

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