Mable Lee Billingslea Obituary (1938

Mable L. Billingslea was born January 5, 1938, to the late Connie Brantley and Annie B. Haley in Georgetown, Mississippi. She moved with her family to Bridgeport, CT in 1952. Mables life would change for the better when she had her only daughter, the joy of her life, the twinkle of her eye, Rose Marie Brown. She is the reason she worked so hard to be a great role model and example of a woman full of pride and grace. In 1977 Mable met the final piece to her puzzle, her friend, love and soulmate John D. Billingslea. With this union they raised her baby boy John K. Billingslea. John and Mable wed April 7, 1979, where they were united for 42 years. Being a black woman in the 70s was not easy. Mable broke down many doors and stereotypes that they had for women. She worked at many factories during her life. While working at Carpenter Steel she was not only with the first group of women hired, she was also a crane operator. This was during a time when there were no women crane operators. After the closing of Carpenter Steel Mable went to the City of Bridgeport, BOE as a custodial supervisor where she worked until her retirement. If you knew Mable you knew about her passion for baking. Mable baked her bean pies, carrot cakes, banana cakes, and her infamous congo bars. She would bake away putting a great smell all up and down Seaview Ave. She would then sell her pies to the many shops, stores and car washes throughout Bridgeport and New Haven, CT. Mable would combine her passion for baking with her top chef skills on the holidays as she brought her family and friends together for great fellowship; combining all the things she loved in one pot family, friends, and food. Not only did Mable love to bake and fellowship she also loved to cut a rug. Dancing was her thing and when she would hear her song, the Electric Slide, she had to make her way to the floor. "You cant see it, its electric Boogie, Woogie, Woogie". Mable was a dedicated member of East End Baptist Tabernacle Church for over 20 years where she was a faithful member of the usher board and the supper program, where she distributed clothes for the less fortunate. When she left EEBTC she joined the United Nation of Islam until her time of passing. Mable was also an active member of Juanita Temple #169, Bridgeport, CT IBPOEW Daughters of Elks for many years. Mable was predeceased by parents Connie Brantley and Annie B. Haley, Brother Roy Brantley, and Grandson Kelsey Brown, Jr. She is survived by to cherish her memory her Husband John D. Billingslea, Daughter Rose Marie Brown, Son John K. Billingslea, her bonus children Brian (Stephanie) Billingslea, Russell (Johanna) Billingslea, (Monica (Clifford Perkins) Billingslea, Pauline Rafalko, Sister, Delois Marshall, Brother Wardell Brantley of SC, Grandchildren; Adrian Brown of MD, Conrey Brown, Teneshia Brown, Lesley Billingslea, Jaila Billingslea, Jayana-Lilly Billingslea, Brelynn Perkins, 9 Great Grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends. A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, November 11, 2021 at 2:00 PM, East End Baptist Church, 548 Central Ave, Bridgeport, CT. Family will be gathering from 1:30 PM until time of service at the Church. Interment will be private. Family Gathering Thursday, November 11, 2021 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM East End Baptist Church 548 Central Avenue Bridgeport, Connecticut 06607 Memorial Service Thursday, November 11, 2021 2:00 PM East End Baptist Church 548 Central Avenue Bridgeport, Connecticut 06607