Billie Opaline Whitfield

Billie Opaline Whitfield passed from this life on Sunday, September 23, 2012 at the Green Tree Assisted Living Center in Sand Springs at the age of 80 years, nine months and thirteen days. Billie was born in Smithville, Oklahoma on December 10, 1931. She was the daughter of Clarence E. and Ella Mae (Clough) Pendergraf. Billie grew up in the Panhandle of Texas as well in Elk City, Shamrock and finished her education in Erick, Oklahoma. On December 3, 1949, Billie was united in marriage to the love of her life. Elmer Jean Whitfield. Billie and Elmer later moved to the Cleveland area in 1957, where she has continued to reside. In 1967, Billie gained employment at the Hissom Memorial Center in Sand Springs. Billie continued working as a care provider at Hissom until 1991 when she retired. During her time at Hissom, Billie was honored as the employee of the year at Hissom Memorial Center; chosen because of her commitment to serving those who could not care for themselves. Billie has always treated others with dignity and respect. While her greatest enjoyment came from family gatherings, her children and grandchildren, walking in woods and her yard looking for what plants are newly popped up. She was very ethical and fair; extremely intelligent and well read, but never considered herself better than others. Billie was a wonderful role model and established many lifelong friendships with workers at Hissom that often came to Cleveland to visit her. She always enjoyed gardening, antiquing, reading and later in life began making bookmarks. Billie always stressed to her family that living by the Golden Rule was imperative. Billie would often quote to her friends and family that "where there is a will there is a way." Survivors are her four daughters and their husbands, Beth and Joe Broaddus of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, Linda and Ivan Rice of Ralston, Oklahoma, Cathy and Tom Glass of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, Jan and David Burch of San Antonio, Texas; grandchildren and great-grandchildren Matthew and Amanda Broaddus and their three sons, Micah, Caleb and Levi, David Broaddus, Ronnie and Tara Shaw and their three children, Riley, Eli and Samuel, Nick and Jenny Blakey and their five children, Jaxon, Maddox, Campbell, Jameson, MacGregor, Ryan and Amy Hedges and their three children, Aspen, Raynee and Wyatt, Jeff Day, Jake and Jessi Burch as well as a host of other relatives and friends. Billie was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Ella Pendergraf, husband, Elmer Whitfield, one brother Joe Pendergraf, two grandchildren, Melissa Beth Broaddus and Beau Joshua Whitfield Rice. Memorial Service will be held 10:30 am Friday, September 28, 2012 at Chapman-Black Funeral Home with Dr. Matthew Broaddus officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to . Friends may share a memory with the family at the funeral home or online at www.chapman-black.com