Zelma Jean Billups

Zelma Jean Billups, of Ellenwood Ga sadly passed away peacefully on February 24th at the age of 81. This beautiful soul was an amazing woman who worked hard but was always there for her children and others when they needed her. She also had many friends and was well loved and respected by all who knew her. Zelma was born on July 23, 1941 to Charles and Fannie Mae Jefferson(deceased)in East Orange New Jersey. She often told stories and taught life lessons that were an honor to hear and discuss. She loved sharing experiences she had, such as the March on Washington and how empowering it was to her. She bragged about her life in New York and all of the wonderful things she experienced with her family. Zelma was a sweet soul and rarely did you see her get angry or upset. However, if you bothered her children it was OVAH!(in her New York accent). While Zelma kept her composure, she could come up with a few choice words for you in the sweetest tone but give you the business at the same time. Zelma had a true gift of caring for others. As a RN for over 45 years, she always ensured the safety and care of all her patients. She wasn’t always a nurse though. She graduated from Layfayette High School in Brooklyn NY in 1959 then went on to graduate from NYU. Before she got into healthcare she worked as a secretary at Ebony Magazine where the policy was a must that she always keep her makeup flawless and look her best for the public. She took this standard of care and made it her own. If you knew Jean, then you knew her lashes were impeccable, and her lipstick gave camera ready vibes. Whether she was a charge nurse at NYU, Sheltering Arms Hospital (Richmond VA) or A.G. Rhodes Health and Rehabilitation (Georgia) she was strong, dedicated, and fair to all those who worked with her. Ebony Magazine led to a position at the Apollo Theater( which is where she met her late husband(Frank M. Billups Jr.) and my oh my if you missed those stories you really missed a treat. Frank and Jean went on to have 5 children, Shaun Keith Billups (deceased), Michelle Mindy Mae Ruth Billups, Melody Jean Billups, Scott Jay Charles Billups and Ureal Gabriel Billups. Jean, will always be remembered for her infectious smile, friendly spirit and genuine light that shined through her. Zelma was a generous and selfless soul. If you ask her one of many friends Beverly Scott she would say “Jeany” was amazing. She exemplified and demonstrated love by the way she cared for people. There was nothing she would not give to those in need. She put little value in material things and considerable value when loving and caring for her friends and family. It was very rare that you’d leave her presence without feeling joy and comfort. If anyone knew Jean, then you knew she LOVED her family. She adored all her brothers and sisters and loved sharing stories about each and every one of them. Hanging out with her sisters Mary and Betty, taking her sister Cookie to Radio City Music Hall, keeping her brother Barry in line or loving on her sweet brother Bruce was something she enjoyed dearly. As a family you could not get enough of these fun stories. If you ask her sister Betty, she’d tell you about the fun times they had hanging out on the front stoop chatting it up with the neighborhood guys. Jean was the first to leave the nest as the eldest Nevertheless, she made sure they were always protected and safe, much like she did throughout her life, Jean made sure everyone was well taken care of. Jean emphatically loved her children. She was a DEDICATED mother. She was a supporter, confidant, mentor, best friend, and all around EVERYTHING to her children. Some of their fondest memories include sitting in her room talking and playing around all while eating Haagen-Dazs ice cream, hearing their mother and father laughing out loud while watching T.V., taking long Greyhound and Amtrak trips back and forth to New York to visit family, dancing to her oldies but goodies, receiving nightly phone calls just to say “Mommy loves you” taking long drives with her son Scott and watching movies with her son Ureal. As much as she loved her children, she also loved spending time with her grandchildren Elijah Billups, Caiden Hampton and Zaria Billups. Elijah was her BUDDY! If you ever spoke with her on the phone you could hear those two in the background arguing about the SpongeBob cartoon taking up too much time on the television. She wanted to watch Wendy Williams and Judge Judy and that was it. He was able to tell her anything especially when long days at school were stressful for him. He’d tell her everything and her response would always be “Come sit next to grandma”, then she would tell him stories about how she wasn’t always treated right at school as well because of discrimination laws. Zelma Jean was our angel. She was patient, kind and would give you the shirt off her back. While she had to make some tough decisions in life, it was all to benefit her family. She was always present in every moment, loved to laugh, and exemplified what it means to be a mother, wife and friend. Those who will carry on her legacy and reminiscence on the time they shared with Jean are: her children, Shaun Keith Billups (deceased), Michelle Mindy Mae Ruth Billups-Ellenwood, Georgia, Melody Jean Billups-Marietta, Georgia, Scott Jay Charles Billups-Ellenwood, Georgia, Ureal Gabriel Billups (Jasmine)-Kennesaw, Georgia, two grandsons: Elijah Billups-Ellenwood, Georgia, Caiden Hampton-Marietta, Georgia and one granddaughter: Zaria Billups-Kennesaw, Georgia. Sisters: Mary Bryant (deceased) (James deceased), Elizabeth Jefferson-Brooklyn, New York, Charlene Jefferson-Queens, New York, Louis (Cookie) Westbrook-Atlanta, Georgia. Brothers: Barry Jefferson (Arcildra)-Shallote, North Carolina, Bruce Jefferson (Sharon)-Atlanta, Georgia, nieces and nephews: Phillip Hogan (Michelle), Ronald Hogan (deceased), Darryl Hogan(deceased) , Courtney Hogan (Tabetha), Maurice Jefferson, Billy Bryant (Kimitra), Jefferson Bryant (deceased), Alicia Gray, Shanna Rawlerson, Ebony Hobson, C.J. Jefferson, Tariq Jefferson, Kinchasa Jefferson and a host of other great nieces, nephews, colleagues and associates.

Tributes

Zelma Jean Billups

July 23, 1941 - February 24, 2023