Kathryn Joyce Billips

Kathryn "Miss Kathy" Billips

Kathryn Joyce Billips, a woman of unwavering faith, grace, strength, and immense love for her family, entered her Eternal Rest on June 25, 2026, at Lake Woods Nursing Home in Muskegon, Michigan.

Kathryn was born on October 14, 1949, to Kattie Jewel Walsh Evans and James Evans. She was a 1967 graduate of Muskegon High School. In 1968, she married Samuel Billips Jr. and to that union their two children were born: Daughter, Kina, in 1969 ; Son, Nyles, in 1973. Following her divorce, Kathryn never remarried, choosing instead to pour her entire heart into raising her children to be a close-knit family. Kathryn's employment over the years included Housekeeping Department at the old State Regional Center, Heinz Pickle Factory, Bil Mar Foods, and numerous Blueberry Fields.

At the age of 47, Kathryn began to suffer from memory loss, mini-strokes, and joint pain. With her doctors dumbfounded as to her sickness, Dr. Joel Jarvis referred her to his colleague, Dr. Robert G. Hylland of Rheumatology Muskegon for an evaluation. Dr. Hylland arranged for Kathryn to be transported by ambulance to see his good friend and colleague at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan who initiated her care in a successful trial drug program. Her diagnosis of Lupus Cerebritis was established. The treatment gave her a brand-new lease on life.

Kathryn faced many challenges with her illness, but for almost 30 years, her beloved children endured her journey right by her side. She was assisted by Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Although she had to relearn how to talk, walk, eat and navigate life all over again, she did so constantly proclaiming the name of JESUS!!!

After much progress through fasting, prayer, and God's healing hands, Kathryn was able to live at home with her Mother. Upon her Mother's passing, a dear family friend, Sister Rosie Lee Johnson, stepped in to assist as Kathryn's live-in-caregiver, with the help of family. After Sister Johnson's passing, the loving decision to retransition Kathryn into skilled / long term care was made. From Day Break Adult Services to Day Break Assisted Living to Sanctuary at the Park to Sanctuary at McAuley to Lake Woods Nursing and Rehabilitation , she was affectionately known as "Miss Kathy" and known for her beautiful smile and sweet spirit. Over the years, the nurses and staff became far more than caregivers; they became lifelong friends and true extensions of her family.

Family and friends gathered from near and far to celebrate Queen Kathryn with an annual birthday party at those facilities, showering her with lots of love, hugs, gifts, red licorice, gum, mints, orange slices, and root beer soda. She especially loved when her daughter-in-law, Talimma, baked her a homemade cake to go along with her favorite butter pecan ice cream. Kathryn loved music, cards, fishing, softball, trivia games, bingo, and gardening. Kina, Nyles, and various family members were happy to bring her home to share in visits, holidays and arranged for overnight stays when possible.

Even through the majority of her illness, disability, blindness, and before our world faced COVID 19, Kathryn maintained an active presence at the Christ Temple Apostolic Faith Church. Thanks to the Church's Transportation Department, Miss Kathy (along with her best friend, Miss Vanessa), looked forward to putting on their church clothes and hats and being picked up EVERY Sunday for Sunday School and Worship Service as well as other church events, prayer services, programs, and New Year's Eve Watch Service. In 2014, Christ Temple also honored Kathryn with the Disability Awareness Ministry Person of The Year Award for her selfless service to God, Christ Temple Church, and the Muskegon Community. Despite her physical challenges, Miss Kathy always witnessed to everyone she met that Jesus saved and healed her and he deserves all of her praise!!!

What flows from the heart reaches the heart! Kathryn (Miss Kathy) (Granny Kathy) taught everyone around her how to love and was deeply loved in return. Her Family will forever cherish her memory and legacy:

DEVOTED DAUGHTER, Kina Billips of Muskegon Heights, MI; DEVOTED SON, Nyles Billips (Talimma) of Caledonia, MI.

GRANDCHILDREN: Motise Miles, Adreon Billips, Darren "DJ" Caviness; Nyles Billips Jr., TaNyla Billips, and TaMerra Billips; GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN: Aeson Billips, MeKhi Hoggard, and Marliya Billips.

BROTHERS: James (Pat) Evans and Thomas Evans; NIECES: Tawana Morris & Family, Latesha Evans & Family; NEPHEW: Courtney (Tawana) Evans & Family, and a host of great nieces, nephews, and cousins; SPECIAL UNCLE: Selby (Esther) Walsh; AUNT: Betty McCamary; SPECIAL COUSIN: Donna Marie Moore.

FORMER SPOUSE & FAMILY: Samuel (Sheila) Billips Jr., Larell Billips, Angel Billips & children, Amari Billips; SISTER IN LAWS: Evelyn Fortenberry and Marva Knight; NIECE: Michelle (Lisa) Fortenberry & Family; NEPHEWS: Alex (Alina) Fortenberry & Family, Kevin Fortenberry, and Calvin Knight Jr. & Family. EXTENDED FAMILY: Sandra Anthony & Family, Chis Miles & Family, OJ Caviness & Family.

SPECIAL FRIENDS: Pastor Frank (Winifred) Landingham and the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church Family; Sister Beverly Burrell, Vanessa Williams, and Norma Jean Hale.

PREDECEASED FAMILY: Kattie Jewel Evans (Mother) and James Evans (Father); Katie Townsend (Special Aunt); Rose Mary Evans (Sister In Law); Eric Morris (Nephew); Tammy Morris-Robinson (Niece).

PREDECEASED FRIENDS: Pastor Walter L. Butts, Rev. Ronald Hannett, Celester Hannett, Gladys Young, Rosie Lee Johnson, and Edna Coley.

SERVICE

Tuesday, July 7, 2026, 12:00 PM at Christ Temple Apostolic Faith Church with Bishop Avery D. Burrel officiating.

VISITATION

Tuesday, 7th of July, 2026 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Christ Temple Apostolic Faith Church. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or sign the online guestbook.

Clock Funeral Home - Muskegon