Billie Ann Bittle

Billie Ann Bittle, 90, of Sedalia, Missouri, formerly of Lindsay, California, passed away on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Sylvia G. Thompson Residence Center in Sedalia. She was born on July 19, 1935, in Bromide, Oklahoma, the daughter of Leonard Craft and Annie (Morgan) Craft, who preceded her in death.

On June 10, 1954, in Farmersville, California, she was united in marriage to Goldman Harold Bittle, who survives of the home. They would have celebrated 72 years of marriage this coming June.

Billie was born and raised in Bromide, Oklahoma, before later moving with her family to the Farmersville, California, area. She worked as a lab technician for Lindsay Olive Growers in Lindsay, California, for 32 years, until the plant closed in 1992.

Billie found her greatest joy in her family, especially in spending time with her grandchildren. She was a wonderful cook and was well known for making the best enchiladas, macaroni salad, and steak and rice. Her son especially looked forward to her pineapple upside-down cake each year on his birthday. Her daughter, Sandra, fondly remembered how Billie always made sure her birthday gifts were wrapped separately from her Christmas gifts, since her birthday was just two days before Christmas.

Billie was also a talented quilter who lovingly made quilts for family members to celebrate special occasions and milestones. She and her husband, Harold, also shared a love of music and sang together at church and on a local radio station in Visalia, California.

In addition to her husband, Harold, survivors include a son, Leslie Bittle (Danita) of La Monte, Missouri; a daughter, Sandra Hornor (Maupin) of Temple, Texas; five grandchildren, Rick, Stacy, Kelli, Michelle, and James; seventeen great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Lenord Craft (Mary) of Palm Desert, California; two sisters, Frankie Inez Little of Hughson, California, and Faye Hicks of Tulsa, Oklahoma; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members.

In addition to her parents, Billie was preceded in death by two brothers, Kenneth Craft and Jerry Craft; two sisters, Lila McNair and June Laurent; a sister-in-law, Diana Craft; and three brothers-in-law, Roy Little, Joe Hicks, and Joseph Laurent.

A celebration of life gathering with family and friends will be announced by the family at a later date.

Cremation arrangements are in the care of Rea Funeral Chapel.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.