LaQueta Billups, 90, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, at Life Care Center, in Lewiston.
Mom was born Oct. 21, 1932, in W.D. “Bill” Mendenhall and Nellie “Peggy” Laverne Crocker in Kendrick. A few years later, Grandma blamed Bill for the depression, divorced him and married Clifford Lawrence.
Mom went to eight different schools in her first nine years of education because Cliff was always looking for that better job.
In 1947 it was decided that Mom would live with her grandparents in Lewiston so she would have a stable education. She graduated from Lewiston High School in 1950. At a young age she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at the Assembly of God Church in Kendrick.
In 1949, while she was working part time at J.C. Penney, she met and fell in love with Charles “Bob” Billups. They were married Aug. 13, 1950, and a few weeks later both were enrolled at Open Bible Seminary in Eugene, Ore. They graduated in 1953 and started their ministry as youth pastors in Haywood, Calif. They moved back to Lewiston in 1954 where their sons Chris and Chuck were born.
They pastored and served the Lord in eight churches from Rosalia, Wash., to Medina, N.D., for the next 42 years. They returned to Lewiston in 1998.
Mom was preceded to heaven by her husband Bob and her son Chuck. She is survived by her sister Judi (Lonnie) O’Neal and her son Chris (Linda) Billups.
Since mother was allergic to flowers, we ask that donations in her memory be given to your church or to the Life Choices Clinic, 1208 Idaho St., Lewiston, ID 83501.
A celebration of life will be held at noon Saturday, Nov. 18, at Blessed Hope Assembly of God Church, 1033 Burrell Ave., Lewiston.
