Billie Anne Calabrese

Billie Anne Calabrese passed on to eternal rest Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at her home. A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. December 20, at Rosemound Cemetery, with Pastor Eric Howell of Dayspring Baptist Church officiating.

Billie was born on May 29, 1934, in Waco, Texas, to V.W. and Loretta Lide; however, she was raised primarily by her grandmother, Ruby Elzada Coker. Billie attended Waco High School where she was a majorette. In her spare time, Billie was a roller skate dance queen and participated in pair skate dance competitions. After graduating from Waco High School, Billie moved to Houston where she met the love of her life, Joseph Calabrese. Billie and Joe married on September 11, 1954, upon his graduation from James Connally Air Force Officer’s School. They had many adventures from training and showing German Shepherds to traveling in their travel trailer with their four children to square dancing. Billie and Joe remained lovingly married until his death in 2001.

Billie was the best mother/Grandma/Mema in the world and genuinely loved by her family. She was a voracious reader, a fabulous cook, creative, artistic, spunky, headstrong, brilliant. One of the many highlights of her life was owning a vintage clothing shop in the 1980’s, Yesterwear, which offered a unique blend of old and new attire as well as costume rentals. Later in life, Billie maintained a booth at Cameron Trading Company selling antiques and collectibles. She spent many Saturday mornings going to garage sales and estate sales on her hunt for treasures to re-sell in her booth.

Billie was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Calabrese; and her son, Anthony Calabrese.

Billie is survived by her daughter, Ruel Calabrese Sword; her son, Joseph Calabrese, and wife, Toni; her son, Christopher Calabrese; her grandson, JT Sword; her granddaughter, Tristen Calabrese Sodhi, and husband, Thomas; her great granddaughter, Audrey Sodhi.

Memorials can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, The Christian Appalachian Project, or the Waco Humane Society, as Billie loved all the animals.

The family would like to thank Dr. William McCunniff for his steadfast patience, sense of humor, and genuine compassion whilst caring for our Mom. We would also like to thank Bluebonnet Hospice (especially our nurse, Jessica) and Visiting Angels (especially Kim and Sheila).

The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.