Beth Service

To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, 2 Cor. 5:8. We rejoice that Mayme Elizabeth Service, Beth as she was known, age 95, passed away peacefully on the evening of March 7, 2025 and immediately entered into the presence of the Lord.

Beth was born on December 16, 1929, at the beginning of the Great Depression in Luling, Texas. She was a descendant of a pioneering Bell County, Texas family and was especially proud of her great grandfather, W.S. Hunter of Belton. Many summers were spent there as she grew up, and she made sure her children visited often so they would also grow to know and love the area. She possessed a great love of all things Texas and especially enjoyed riding her horses on the oil field back roads around the family home near Gladewater. Beth was editor of her high school newspaper and dreamed of becoming a journalist until she met Billy Ray Service at Kilgore Junior College and soon wedding bells rang. She settled into homemaking as Billy Ray, or Bill as she called him, began his career, like their fathers, in the oil field. Beth was such a “Texan” that when it came time to deliver her first baby, she and Bill drove from Shreveport to Atlanta, TX, so the baby would be born a Texan, too. As the years passed, oil companies that would ultimately become Exxon, carried them to Magnolia, Arkansas, Shreveport and Lafayette, Louisiana, Fairbanks, Alaska and eventually back to Shreveport and finally to retirement.

During this time of her life, they traveled by RV to all 49 continental states, including Alaska more than once, as well as Hawaii, England, the Yucatan and Costa Rica. She and Bill were charter members of the Exxon Annuitant Club and The Pelican Travelers and took many trips with both groups. Beth enjoyed painting and was well known for the many, many beautiful wind chimes she painted and for her china painting. Her Three Wise Monkey collection is worthy of mention. When she was a child, her grandmother gifted her with a carved soapstone set. Over the years, through travel and gifts, her collection grew to over one thousand, and she enjoyed showing them and recounting the stories of when and where they were curated.

Besides travel, Beth’s heart was full of love for her family. She and Bill especially enjoyed holidays and family events. Christmas and birthdays remain treasured memories in the hearts of her children and grandchildren as well as summer trips camping and skiing on Lake Greeson shortly after The Narrows dam was constructed. She and Bill were members of Broadmoor Baptist, but had been unable to attend for many years. She was an unassuming Christian who often secretly assisted people when she saw or found out about a need. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matt 6:3-4

Beth was preceded in death by her parents, Luci Bowen McIlroy and Leonard B. McIlroy; brother, Zack McIlroy; sister, Jackie M. Stuckey Williams; and her daughter in law, Donna Conradi Service. She leaves behind her daughters, Debbie Gibson, Brenda Harrison, their spouses G. Kent Gibson and William W. Harrison; and son, Leonard Service. Cherished grandchildren, Jill Gibson Whitney, Lana Gibson, Dorobeth H. Windham, Katie Harrison and Mac Service; and great-grandchildren, Hunter R. Whitney, Harper Whitney, Lillybeth Windham and John Chris Windham; along with other cherished family and friends.

The family wishes to thank the exemplary care provided by The Columns of West Monroe and their kind and loving staff, also private caregivers, especially Terri Dearman and Betty Brantley, who have been angels on earth and provided such excellent care for Beth.

A graveside service will be held for Beth at a later date.

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