Mother Janie Ruth Billings

Mother Janie Ruth Hall Billings of 245 Railroad Street, Desoto, Georgia, died Monday, September 7, 2026, at the Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, Georgia.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 3:00 PM in the sanctuary of the Zion Hill Baptist Church in Leslie, Georgia. The burial will follow at the Jackson Grove Church Cemetery in Desoto, Georgia.

Mother Janie Ruth Hall Billings was born on May 21, 1939, in Leslie, Georgia, to the late Willie Ruth Hall. Grounded in faith and devotion, she was a dedicated member of Big Bethel Baptist Church in DeSoto, Georgia, where she served faithfully as an Usher, member of the choir and was honored as the Mother of the Church.

From an early age, Mother Billings cultivated a deep passion and gift for cooking, preparing hearty meals for her siblings after long days in the field and working alongside her mother to cater to families across the Leslie and DeSoto communities. Her passion blossomed into a lifelong career in nutrition and service. She joined the National Lunchroom Association and served the Sumter County School System at Southeast Elementary School in DeSoto, Georgia and then Sumter County Elementary School in Americus, Georgia for over thirty years. Rising to cafeteria manager, she found pure joy in feeding generations of children, delighting them with fresh-baked cookies, cinnamon rolls, and her famous sheet cakes.

Following her well-earned retirement from the school system, she pursued her dream of entrepreneurship and operated "Lugene’s" restaurant. Through Lugene’s, she shared her legendary soul food with the broader community—serving oxtails, seasoned turkey wings, tender neckbones, savory baked chicken, and her unforgettable, mouthwatering pound cakes that were truly "Mmm Good." At home, her kitchen remained the heartbeat of the family, where she affectionately spoiled her loved ones with grand Sunday dinners every fourth Sunday after worship.

On Monday, September 7, 2026, Mother Billings peacefully transitioned from labor to reward. She was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Willie Ruth Hall; her devoted husband, Emmett James Billings; her loving daughter, Anita Ateuegwu; four sisters, Gloria Ware, Collene Palmer, Martha Blackshear, and Verdell Hall; and her brother-in-law, John Morris.

Cherished memories will forever remain in the hearts of her devoted children: Gwen Williams (Lawrence) of Leslie, Georgia, Michael Billings of Albany, Georgia, Dennis Billings (Jessica) of DeSoto, Georgia, and Stanley Billings of DeSoto, Georgia; her adopted daughter, Doretha Dowdell (Silas) of DeSoto, Georgia; a son-in-law, Ben Ateuegwu of Lawrenceville, Georgia; her grandchildren: Andrea Pace, Shaun Williams (Monica), Brandon Williams (Shanekia), Christopher Billings, ReShad Billings (Portia), Florzell Paschall (LaToya), Shannon Billings, Keith Waters, Nicaler Fuller, Amechi Ateuegwu, Daryl Dowdell (Dominique) and Ronnie West; her great-grandchildren: Kadarius Bryant, Tomeko Bryant, Travis Pace, Travion Pace, NaJiya Williams, Jaydon Williams, Chloe Williams, Bralyn Williams, Bryce Williams, Brandon Billings, Makiyah Heath, Brooke Billings, Mya Billings, Travin Harris, and Keaondra Waters; her great-great-grandchildren: KeMari Sims, Zoey Sims, Kadance Bryant, Arbielle Bryant, Kade Sims, and Kadarius M. Bryant, Jr.; her sister, Francis Morris of DeSoto, Georgia; her brother, Pastor Eugene Hall of DeSoto, Georgia; her special friends, Geraldine Cherry and Willie Mae James, both of Leslie, Georgia; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended relatives, church family, and sorrowing friends.