Obituary of Billie Dean Jex

Jex, Billie Dean of Saginaw, Michigan Beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 31, 2018 at Covenant HealthCare - Cooper. She was 87 years old. Billie Dean Roberts was born on February 8, 1931 in Nashville, Tennessee to the late William Penn and Gretchen Olivia (Jaco) Roberts. Billie spent her childhood in Nashville, Tennessee, and her youth in Detroit, Michigan, graduating in 1948 from Southeastern High School. Following graduation, she moved to Saginaw and began working for General Electric and met the love of her life, Lewis Jex. They were united in marriage on January 19, 1953; he preceded her in death April 16, 1984. Together they raised their four children: Dean, Terri, Steve and Merri. She felt raising her children was the happiest time in her life and the most important work she's ever done. When Billie was in her early 40's, she enrolled at Saginaw Practical Nurse School and became a Licensed Practical Nurse, proudly receiving straight A's. Billie specialized in geriatric nursing and was employed by Saginaw Community Hospital, retiring after 10 years of dedicated yet compassionate service. For many years she volunteered at the Covenant Gift Shop. Billie was an avid walker and for many years participated in the Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Walk. Billie was an accomplished artist and loved drawing. She enjoyed traveling across the country, sewing, knitting, watching soap operas and CNN. Above all, Billie loved and cherished her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, they all held a special place in her heart and were the light of her life. Surviving are two sons and two daughters: Dean Jex of Guatemala, Terri (Bill) O'Brien of Saginaw, Steve (Robin) Jex, Ph.D. of Bowling Green, Ohio and Merri (Chris) Fletcher of Saginaw; 10 grandchildren: Ryan (Kelly) Wright, Adam Jex, Stephanie Jex, Tabitha Wright, Abby (Brandon) Crites, Alexandra Wolfgram, Samantha Fletcher, Garrett Jex, Travis Jex, and Cameron Fletcher; numerous great grandchildren; two brothers: Thomas (Aubyn) Roberts of Rochester Hills and Richard Roberts of Saginaw; special longtime friend, Phyllis Pearson of Saginaw who will miss her dearly; a lifelong friend, Dawn Sauer of Detroit; and an ex-son-in-law, Harry Wright of Traverse City. Waiting to greet her is her beloved grandmother, Minnie Jaco, her mother, Gretchen Jaco and her husband, Lewis Jex. FUNERAL: A Funeral Service will take place at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at the Deisler Funeral Home, 2233 Hemmeter Rd. (off State). Rev. Amy Terhune will officiate. Private burial will take place on Wednesday at Roselawn Memorial Gardens. VISITATION: Friends are welcome to visit with the family at the funeral home on Tuesday from 3:00 p.m. until the time of the service at 6:00 p.m. MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathies may wish to consider memorials to Covenant HealthCare or COPD Research Fund. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the funeral home or through www.deislerfuneralhome.com.