Wanda Sue Billingsly, age 89, died Tuesday, November 12, 2013, at her home in Joplin, Mo.
Sue was born on October 4, 1924 in Sheldon, Mo. to the late Gladys (Darling) and Ray McGehee. She graduated from Sheldon High School, and attended Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University) in Springfield, Mo., where she met Leon Billingsly, the love of her life. They were married in 1942. She then attended and graduated from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Ks. She taught in Lamar, Golden City, rural schools, Pittsburg and in Joplin. She graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Master’s in Education degree.
In addition to a twenty year teaching career, Sue was the wife of the first President of Missouri Southern State University (Missouri Southern College at the time), and after his death, served as the first MSSU Foundation Director for twenty years from 1979-1999.
She was a member of numerous organizations and sisterhoods- PEO, Delta Gamma Fraternity, MSSC Faculty Wives, American Association of University Women, Tri State Trucking Board of Directors from 1980 to 1986, to name only a few.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Jerold McGehee, and her husband, Leon Billingsly. She is survived by her daughter, Connie Billingsly Godwin, of Joplin; sister-in-law, Hazel Magers of New Cumberland, Pa.; seven nieces; four nephews; many great nieces and nephews, her beloved dog, Andy, life long friends Betty Jo Gilkey, Betty Jean Castor, and Ethel McCormick.
Visitation will be held Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. at Mason-Woodard Mortuary, with graveside rites at 12:00 p.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery on North Rangeline in Webb City.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Missouri Southern State University Foundation or Carl Junction Schools Foundation.
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