Billie Joe McNeil

Billie Joe "BJ" McNeil, age 91, died peacefully at home in her sleep Saturday morning, Dec. 9, 2017. She was born on May 29, 1926, in Groesbeck, Texas to Joseph Lee and Easter May Gammon.

BJ received an associate degree and registered nurse degree from the University of Houston in 1946. She met her husband, James L. McNeil, M.D. on July 1, 1947 when he started his internship at Jefferson Davis Hospital and she was the Pediatric Supervisor. She continued nursing until her husband's internship and residency were completed. She discontinued nursing for approximately 20 years to raise her family. She returned to nursing for 18 years as head nurse and supervisor of her husband's clinic.

BJ and Jim retired in Cloudcroft, N.M. in 1989. Jim did locum tenen ("rent a doc") in seven different states for 16 years and BJ always accompanied him. Her activities included the Cloudcroft United Methodist Church, where she was instrumental in maintaining the library. She was an active member of the Sacramento Senior Center doing volunteer work and starting the bridge program.

Survivors include her husband, James L. McNeil, M.D., daughters, Mona Jeanne McNeil of Alamogordo, N.M., JoAnn (Rick) Hansen, Manor, TX, and Judy (Ted) McNeilsmith, of Alamosa, Colorado and brother Joseph Lee (Martha) Gammon, of Corvallis, OR. Grandchildren, Daniel (Kristen) McFarland, New York City, NY, Kathryn (Paul) Dunn, Austin, TX, Jason (Lisa) Hansen, Manor, TX, James Wayne Hansen, Austin, TX, Stuart (Chrissy) Smith, Los Angeles, CA, Elizabeth McNeilsmith, Colorado Springs, CO, and Kendall McNeilsmith, Alamosa, CO. Great Grand Children, Alexa McFarland, Rigby Oz Dunn, Jackson, Samuel and Abigail Hansen and Vivian Rae Smith.

Funeral Services for Billie Joe McNeil are being held at Cloudcroft United Methodist Church on Thursday, December 14, 2017 at 2 PM with the Reverend Judy Shema officiating. Cloudcroft United Methodist Church is located at: 50 Chipmunk Avenue, Cloudcroft, NM .

Burial of will take place in a private ceremony in El Paso, Texas at a later date.

Should friends desire, contributions should be made to Cloudcroft United Methodist Church and designated for services related to hearing impaired needs or Sacramento Senior Citizen's Center to be used for operational expenses.

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