Barbourville, Ky. – Billie Helen McCarthy, 79, of Gray, passed away March 27, 2022. Billie was the daughter of Sarah VanBeber Perkins and Curtis Perkins born to them on June 30, 1942, in Knox County, Kentucky. Billie lived much of her life surrounded by the beautiful Appalachian Mountains, including residing 41 years on the same property where she was born and raised.
Billie will live on in the hearts and souls of those who knew her. People were drawn to her gentle, loving, and funny nature. Many people who knew her considered her a mother figure. She fiercely loved her family, and was very protective of them. Billie loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. Many cherished memories of time spent together were made over the years. Granddaughter Sarah remembers staying with her grandmother, gathering marigold seeds from the flower garden, and playing dress-up together – they shared the same shoe size and Billie was generous to let Sarah play dress up wearing her shoes. Jillian delighted in being able to bring her dog, Pupcake, inside when visiting and they too played dress-up with Pupcake. Emily recalls staying up all night with her grandmother when she visited. Billie may not have realized her strength, but her family knew she had “backbone”, she was strong. Billie was a wonderful mother to her beloved sons, and they loved her dearly. She enjoyed “spoiling rotten” her children and grandchildren every chance she could. In her spare time, Billie enjoyed working in her flower garden where she grew two of her favorite flower’s marigolds and carnations. She also loved to crochet, embroidery, and cross stitch and was a collector of angel, blue jay, and rooster figurines.
In addition to her parents, Sarah VanBeber Perkins and Curtis Perkins, Billie was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 57 years Robert E. McCarthy, Sr., sister Bonnie Perkins Bingham, and grandson Curtis Reed.
Left behind to mourn her passing are Billie’s three cherished sons: Curtis Reed and wife Rene of Gray, Kentucky, Harold Reed, and Robert McCarthy, Jr. and wife Misty of Corbin, Kentucky. Four grandchildren, Thomas, Jeremiah, Sarah, and Lucas and five great-grandchildren, Brandon, Emily, Jillian, CJ, and Jett also survive Billie and will miss her dearly.
The McCarthy Family will receive friends at Hopper Funeral Home on Friday, April 1, 2022, from 1:00 PM until the funeral hour of 2:00 PM. Reverend Mann Cobb will officiate assisted by Reverend Jeff Sturdivan. Musical tributes to be performed by Brenda Abner and Lucas McCarthy and Pam Sturdivan. Interment will follow the funeral service in the Warfield Cemetery, 459 Walker Park Road, Knox County, Kentucky. Casket Bearers are grandson’s Thomas, Jeremiah, and Lucas; great-grandson Brandon, and Willie Schwert, Kevin Patterson, Curtis Brown, and Jason Riley.
The Hopper Family, Victoria Hopper and Sally Hopper, our Directors, Mrs. Bonita Bingham Creech and Mr. Robin Reese, and our staff express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Billie Helen McCarthy.
Hopper Funeral Home, Inc., established over 117 years ago, is in charge of servicing all arrangements for Billie Helen McCarthy.
