Billie Jean Blackwell Troutman, 81, passed away suddenly on Sunday, September 1, 2019, at Johnson City Medical Center. Born in Elizabethton, Tenn., on April 20, 1938, she was the daughter of the late Pauline Ledford Blackwell and Coburn Jack Blackwell. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 56 years, Ralph Harold Troutman, and her son, Danny Harold Troutman.
Billie was a graduate of Cloudland High School and attended Steed College. She worked for Dr. E.T. Pearson for 25 years and was retired from the State of Tennessee. She was a member of Valley Forge Church. Billie was creative and stylish, and she enjoyed arranging flowers, looking her best and was known for her beautifully wrapped packages at the holidays. She loved watching her son, Chris, play basketball in high school and at the University of South Carolina, and was an avid Tennessee basketball and football fan. Her greatest enjoyment, however, was her role as “Nana” to her beloved grandchildren, William Briggs Troutman, Virginia Paige Troutman and Donna Lea Troutman, all of Charlotte, N.C. Nana was always up for an adventure, and her constant and loving influence has forever shaped their lives.
She is survived by her son, Christopher Briggs Troutman and his wife Stephanie, also of Charlotte, N.C., and three brothers, David Blackwell and wife Wilma of Elizabethton, Jack Blackwell and his wife Patsy of Roan Mountain and Bobby Blackwell and his wife Brenda of Roan Mountain.
The family will receive visitors between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. Saturday, September 7, at Tetrick Funeral Home, 211 N. Riverside Drive, Elizabethton, Tenn. A graveside service to honor and celebrate the life of Billie Jean Blackwell Troutman will be conducted at 2 p.m. at Happy Valley Memorial Park with Pastor Randy Johnson officiating. Pallbearers will be Brent Blackwell, Chase Blackwell, Eddie Blackwell, Keith Blackwell, Les Tolley and Anthony Troutman. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Billie’s dear friends and neighbors, Ruby Hatley and Marjorie Valentino. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Valley Forge Church, 1503 Riverview Drive, Elizabethton, TN 37643 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Online condolences may be shared with the family on our website at www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.
Billie Jean and her family are in the care of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton.