Billie Lee

Ezell

Billie Lee Ezell, 88, of James Island, SC, passed away November 13, 2026, following a lengthy illness. Her funeral service will be held on Wednesday, November 18, at Church Creek Presbyterian Church. 2234 Plainview Rd, Charleston, SC 29414. Visitation will be held at noon in the fellowship hall, the service at 1:00 p.m. in the sanctuary, and burial at 2:00 p.m. at Live Oak Memorial Gardens, 3093 Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC 29414.

She was the wife of Earl Dean Ezell, a union that lasted more than 70 years.

Billie was born August 11, 1938, in Greenville, TN., a daughter of Robert and Magdeline Kaylor Trotter. She was preceded in death by her parents; by a beloved aunt and uncle who raised her, Gladys and Charles Hughes; and by her son James D. Ezell.

From elementary age, Billie proved herself skillful at running a household while her aunt and uncle worked. It was during high school that she first spotted a pharmacist at Robinson’s Drugstore in Dayton, TN, who marked her out as his future wife. They were married on June 3, 1956.

When the Army posted Dean to Italy, she accompanied him, picked out a small home and furnished it. Their return to the U.S. took her to Dayton and eventually to Charleston. The couple was blessed with two sons, Jim and Al, whom she loved dearly.

Jim’s death in an automobile accident was the great tragedy of her life.

In the late 1970s, while attending a Bible study with a friend, Billie became an example of the Scripture verse Romans 10:17: “So then, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” She and Dean became members of Church Creek Presbyterian Church and never left. It was her delight to host dinners for the church officers, cooking most of the food herself, and welcoming her guests to a house noted for being meticulously orderly and organized. She was scrupulous about setting up for communion and trained a number of newcomers to the privilege.

Friends remember her as one who “never forgot a kindness, fiercely loyal, a friend for life.” Known for working hard, she threw energy and generosity into serving others, calling one friend at 6 a.m. daily to check on her during chemotherapy and personally undertaking physical renovations to the friend’s house in preparation for a move.

In certain ways, she seemed a contradiction in terms: a petite, feminine, gracious woman who loved using both power tools and hand tools, and who designed a small, exquisite building to house them. She had an eye for quality but loved a bargain.

Surviving family members include son Alan Lee Ezell, granddaughter Amy Robeson, and great grandchildren Charles and Leigh Robeson, all of Spring City, TN.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Charleston Christian School.