Billye June Godfrey

Billye June Godfrey February 16, 1935 – March 20th, 2026

Billye June Godfrey, age 91, passed away on March 20th, 2026, in Ardmore, Oklahoma, surrounded by her family and compassionate caregivers from Cross Timbers Hospice.

Billye was born on February 16, 1935, in Allen, Oklahoma, to Harold Brown and LaRue (Beach) Brown. She attended school in Antlers, Oklahoma, and Visalia, California. Although she did not graduate from high school, she later earned her GED at the age of 52, a personal accomplishment of which she was very proud.

As a teenager, Billye moved from California to Savanna, Oklahoma, to help her aunt and uncle care for their children. They rented their home, and it was there that she met—and soon fell in love with—their handsome landlord, Gordon Godfrey. The two were married in DeQueen, Arkansas, on September 6, 1952. Their marriage lasted 45 years, until Gordon’s passing in July 1997.

Billye was a devoted wife and mother who dedicated herself to raising her three children: Danny, Judy, and Gay Lynn. She was also a hardworking and resourceful woman who held several jobs over the years, including positions at Marietta Sportswear, Little Brownie Bakers, and later at The Hub, from which she eventually retired.

In 1962, Billye and Gordon moved to Leon, Oklahoma, where Gordon accepted a teaching position. Some of Billye’s happiest memories were made there. She spent many hours drinking coffee and sharing laughter with friends around town. It was also in Leon that she and her children were baptized in the Red River while attending Leon Baptist Church.

Billye’s greatest joy in life was giving to her children and grandchildren. She delighted in finding the perfect Christmas gifts for her family and shopped for them throughout the year. Every grandchild remembers sneaking to the Christmas closet to watch the growing pile of wrapped gifts and wonder what surprises awaited them.

Billye was a cancer survivor, an animal lover, a member of Marietta Baptist Church, and a lifelong Democrat who enjoyed following politics. She also enjoyed occasional trips to the local casino, where she liked trying her luck on the slot machines.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold Brown and LaRue Splawn; her stepparents, Roy Splawn and Rosie Brown; her husband, Gordon Godfrey; her brother, Steve Splawn; her brother-in-law, Tom Godfrey; her sons-in-law, Ron Stelting and Jarvis Kinder; and her beloved Chinese pugs, Ellie and Buffy.

Billye is survived by her children: Judy Kinder; Danny Godfrey and his wife, Sue Ann; and Gay Stelting. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Barbara Best and her husband, Tracy; Bev Rutherford and her husband, Brian; Regina Mullennix and her husband, Berry; Brandon Kinder; Dustin Hill and his wife, Becky; and Crystal Garrison and her husband, Terry.

Her great-grandchildren include Devin and Simone Mullennix; Ty, Trent, and Callen Garrison; and Athena and Aiden Hill. She is also survived by her beloved pets, Little Sister and Speedy Jack.

Graveside services will be held at Leon Cemetery under the direction of Alexander Gray Funeral Home at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24th, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial donations in honor of Billye Godfrey to Cross Timbers Hospice at https://crosstimbershospice.org/donate. You can also mail gifts to Cross Timbers Hospice at 207 C Street NW, Ardmore, OK 73401.