judith lee billingsley freeman
1932-2008
Life Story
Early Life and Family
Judith L. Billingsley Freeman was born on November 30, 1932, in Newton, Mississippi, into a large and close-knit family deeply rooted in Newton County. She was the daughter of Dewitt Billingsley and Zena Mae Hopkins Billingsley, both members of families with long-standing ties to the region.
Judith grew up during the years of the Great Depression and World War II in a bustling household filled with siblings. The 1940 United States Census records seven-year-old Judith attending first grade while living with her mother and siblings in Newton. Her brothers and sisters included Lewis, Albert, Bernice, Dan Richard, Mae Nell, and Luzena, reflecting the large family networks common in rural Mississippi communities.
By 1950, seventeen-year-old Judith was still living with her family on East Sub Drive in Newton. At that time, her mother Zena Mae Billingsley was listed as the head of the household, demonstrating the strength and leadership she provided for the family.
“She’s in the Army Now” – Military Service
In August 1951, Judith made a bold decision for a young woman of her era. A newspaper clipping proudly announced that she was among the latest Mississippi recruits to join “Uncle Sam’s fighting forces.”
The article reported that Miss Judith L. Billingsley of Newton had become a member of the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), an important branch of the United States Army that opened new opportunities for women to serve their country.
Following her enlistment, Judith traveled to Fort Lee Training Center in Fort Lee, Virginia, where she completed her military training. Her service continued until March 1953, during the Korean War era, a time when women were increasingly taking on important roles within the military.
Her enlistment represented both courage and independence, marking her as part of a generation of women who stepped forward to serve during a critical period in American history.
Travels and Transitions
Following her military service, Judith’s life expanded beyond the borders of Mississippi. By 1959, records show her listed as Judith L. Freeman, arriving in Newark, New Jersey, at the age of 26, suggesting the beginning of a new chapter in her life following her marriage.
Her marriage eventually led her to San Antonio, Texas, a city with a strong military presence that may have felt familiar to a former service member. Residence records from the 1970s through the 1990s place Judith living on J Street in San Antonio, where she spent many years building her life.
Returning Home
Despite her years living in Texas and traveling across the country, the connection to her Mississippi roots remained strong.
During the 1990s and early 2000s, Judith maintained ties to both San Antonio and Newton, Mississippi, eventually returning permanently to the community where she had grown up. She later lived on Forest Avenue and High Street in Newton, reconnecting with family and friends.
Legacy
Judith Billingsley Freeman passed away on March 19, 2008, at the age of 75.
She was laid to rest at Union Chapel Methodist Church Cemetery in Lawrence, Newton County, Mississippi, joining many members of the Billingsley and Hopkins families who are buried there.
Her life came full circle—from a young girl growing up in Newton during the Jim Crow era, to a proud member of the Women’s Army Corps, and finally back to the red clay of the community that had shaped her. Judith is remembered not only as a daughter, sister, and mother, but also as a woman who served her country during a pivotal moment in American history.
Resting Place
Union Chapel United Methodist Church Graveyard
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1940 Federal Census
- 1950 Federal Census
- The Newton Record, Dewitt Billingsley Obituary, Wed, Dec 22, 1965 ·Page 12
- U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current
- New Jersey, U.S., Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists of Airplanes, 1956-1969
- U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
- U.S. Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1
- U.S. Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 2
- U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010
- U.S., Index to Public Records, 1994-2019
- U.S., Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002
- The Newton Record, Zena Mae Hopkins Billingsley Obituary, Wed, Jun 22, 1994 ·Page 10
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