Billie Jean Mertens

Billie Jean Mertens, 85, of Pittsburg went to be with her Lord and Savior Feb. 19. Graveside services celebrating Billie’s life were held Feb. 23 at Cross Roads Cemetery in Pittsburg under the direction of Ingram Funeral Home in Quinlan with Jerry Cook officiating.
Billie was born Jan. 10, 1928, in Pittsburg to Thomas Smith and Alma Bullard Smith. She was raised, attended school, and was a life-long resident of Pittsburg. On Dec. 31, 1950, she married Kenneth Mertens and they had two daughters. Billie was first a homemaker, caring for her family and raising her children. She worked outside the home for many years at several Pittsburg banks. More recently she was columnist for Texas Twister Publications and was author of Recipes of the Heart. Billie was a member of Cross Roads Baptist Church. She is preceded in death by her parents.
She is loved and will be missed by her husband Kenneth of Pittsburg; daughters, Debby Mertens of Pittsburg, and Ginger Lane of Quinlan; grandson, Jesse Lane and wife Heather; great-grandchildren, Cameron, Kenneth, Max and Sierra; brothers, T. C. Smith and wife Patsy of Rockwall, Jimmy Smith and wife Pat of Pittsburg; sister, Helen Cook and husband Travis of Shreveport, La.; and many loving nieces and nephews.