Billie Sue (Leatherwood) Slear, 90, passed away on Monday July 1, 2024. She was born on May 18, 1934 in Hendersonville, NC.
She was the daughter of John Herman and Gussie Elizabeth (Justice) Leatherwood. Billie Sue married William Snyder Slear on April 27, 1957. He preceded her in death on October 30, 2018. Also preceding her in death were one sister Barbara Ann Blackwell, a brother-in-law Dick Lindsey and a sister-in-law Mary Ann “Bunny” Burton Leatherwood.
A 1952 graduate of Hendersonville High School, Billie Sue was employed as a Private Secretary and Regional Manager at Reserve Life Insurance. Following her marriage she moved to Pennsylvania where she was employed as a Secretary and Bookkeeper at Lewisburg Auto Supply and later a Tax Collector for East Buffalo Township, Lewisburg, PA. She was involved in many organizations including the Evangelical Community Hospital Auxiliary and the Cub Scouts where she was a Den Mother.
Billie Sue was very involved in her church communities and was a fifty year member of Christ’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lewisburg, PA. While there she served as a member and past President of Church Council; member and past Chair of the Social Ministry Committee, Youth Leader, Stephen Minister, student and teacher of Bethel Bible Study and a member of the Upper Susquehanna Synod Social Ministry Committee. Later Billie Sue joined Grace Lutheran Church in Hendersonville, NC. While a member she served as Secretary of the Social Ministry Committee, Former Banquet Bearer, member and Secretary of the Hospitality Committee, Stephen Minister, Women of the ELCA, Sarah Circle and co-leader and student of the Disciple Bible Study,
Billie Sue is survived by her family in North Carolina including one brother John H. Leatherwood Jr, of Hendersonville, NC, one sister Patricia J. Lindsey of Zirconia, NC, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She is survived in Pennsylvania by one son, Andrew William Slear (Wendy), three grandchildren, Ethan Jacob Slear (fiancé Rebecca Gonzalez), Travis Edward Slear, and Kathryn Elizabeth Slear, all of Hatboro, PA. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Jack Wesley Slear (Lon Pyers) of Lewisburg, PA.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday July 17 at 11 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church with the Rev. Christina Auch presiding. The family will receive friends following the service at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to: Grace Lutheran Church, 1245 6th Ave West, Hendersonville, NC 28739 or Christ’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 100 S 3rd Street, Lewisburg, PA 17837.
Condolences may be sent to the Slear family at www.jacksonfuneralservice.com or C/O Jackson Funeral Service 1101 Greenville Highway, Hendersonville, NC 28792. Please include the name of the deceased on the condolence.