Billie Jo Bowers Bownds was born December 18, 1924, to Joe and Beulah Bowers on the farm 1 ½ miles north and 1 ½ miles west of Lorenzo.  She graduated as valedictorian from Lorenzo High School in 1942.  She graduated from  Texas Tech College with degrees in Applied Arts; a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education; and a Masters in Reading Education.

She married Lester W. (Blacky) Bownds on December 6, 1947, in El Paso, Texas. They lived in Dalhart and Brownfield before moving back to the home place in Lorenzo.

She taught school in Lorenzo for 30 years, teaching many children how to read and write. She provided breakfast for her students long before breakfast was provided by the school saying, "kids can't learn if they're hungry."

Billie Jo is preceded in death by her husband, Blacky; her parents, Joe and Beulah Bowers; her siblings, Max Bowers, Earl Bowers and Allene Bowers Samford and her son-in- law, Jim Broome.

She is survived by her children, David Earl Bownds and Myra Diane Broome; her grandchildren: Debbie (Ed) Crites, Amy (Shawn) Stephens, and Kim (Robert) Cantu; her great grandchildren: Allison Crites, Micaela (Dylan) Samples, Emily Crites; Jackson and Holden Stephens; Chloe and Ella Cantu; and Rachel Cantu (Anthony) Altosino; a great, great grandchild, Baby "A" on the way.

Memorials may be made to The Inside Out Foundation in her memory, 4630 50th St. #300, Lubbock, TX 79414, 806/722-0750.

Matthew 25:21. His Lord said unto him, well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.