Obituaries – Their Stories Live On

Evangelist Billie June Leftwich, 85, of Beckley went to God Monday, April 1, 2019.

Billie was born October 11, 1933 in Slab Fork, WV, she was the daughter of the late Rev Grover Cleveland Gilbert, Sr. and Margaret Gilbert.

Billie was a Teacher’s Aide and member of Upper Room Apostolic Church, Beckley.

Billie spent her childhood in Beckley, where she attended Stratton High School. She obtained a Nurse Aide Certificate in October of 1972. With a passion for children, she proceeded to attend Antioch College in Ashville, NC, where she graduated as a Teacher’s Aide in Early Childhood Education in 1974, gaining employment with the Raleigh County School System as Kindergarten Aide at Piney Oaks Early Childhood Education Center. After retirement she received an Evangelism Certificate in October, 1985. She was also president of the Missionary at the Upper Room Apostolic Church, serving in other church offices as well, until she departed this life.

Billie, in addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three sisters, Victoria Hackley, Hester Ham, Queen Coles and three brothers, Lawrence, Joe Gilbert and Rev. Grover C. Gilbert, Jr. and grandson, Michael Sawyers II.

Billie leaves to cherish precious memories her beloved husband, James E. Leftwich, Sr, of Beckley, WV; sons, James (Tammy) Leftwich, Jr. of Charlotte, NC and Ralph (Sharlea) Leftwich and Phillip (April) Leftwich, both of Concord, NC; daughters Joyce Harper of Bladensburg, MD and Gloria Sawyers of Bryans Road, MD; sisters, Lois Washington of Washington, DC and Marva Waller of Charlotte, NC; 12 grandchildren, Carla Harper-Omisore, Cecelia Harper, April Wilson, Letisha Sawyers, Frances Armstrong, Monica Leftwich, Ralph Leftwich, Jr., Ashley White, Ayana Jones, Yoloanda Leftwich, Daylin Leftwich and Kayla Leftwich; 14 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral service will be 9:30AM Saturday April 6, 2019 at Heart of God Ministries, 1703 South Kanawha St., Beckley, WV with Elder David Leo Moore officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley.

Friends may call thirty minutes prior to the service at the church.

Email condolences to ritchie-johnson@suddenlinkmail.com

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.