Billie Brassell Halvorsen

Billie Laird Brassell Halvorsen passed away April 2, 2021 at the age of 84 and is now in the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 PM on Monday, April 12, 2021 at Platt’s Belair Road Chapel with Pastor William F. Harrell officiating. Interment to follow at Westover Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1:00 PM until service time.

Billie was a lifelong Augustan; she graduated from the Academy of Richmond County in 1954 in the first class of females. She loved this area despite the pollen and allergies because this was home, where her friends and family were. She had two children with her first husband, John (Buddy) Brassell, Sr. who sadly passed away from cancer in 1975.

Later Billie met and eventually married Bob Halvorsen and became the mother of a blended family of six children. She loved them all fiercely, ultimately becoming known as “Sweet Mama” to 22 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

Billie loved all kids and was a masterful educator. For over 40 years she worked in education either as a teacher or director. In retirement she would always find a way to talk to children in the community. She would tell them the importance of education and that they could be anything they wanted to be. And in true form, Billie would always leave the conversation by telling them that she was a Christian and that Jesus loved them.

Many Augustans could share a similar story, illustrating the profound impact she made in people’s lives. But her greatest impact was living her faith; so many people saw the love of Christ through Billie. She loved life, teaching, and her family immensely, but her love for God was obvious in every encounter.

Billie, Mom, Sweet Mama, or whatever name you knew her by is synonymous with love, kindness, and selflessness. Even though we are saddened by her passing, all who knew her, now smile, celebrate, and are happy in knowing that she is in Heaven where “God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes, there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain” (Rev. 21:4).

There is no conclusion here because her legacy lives on with us. But as a last thought, if there is a Dillard’s in Heaven, the sale’s clerk has a new best friend.

In addition to her husband, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, Mrs. Halvorsen is survived by her children, John L. Brassell (Michelle), Mark Halvorsen (Lyndi) and Karen Smith; and her step-children, Kristy Lyon (Bill), Lindy Price (Brian) and Rick Halvorsen (Lauren).

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Billie Brassell Halvorsen Legacy Scholarship at Augusta Christian Schools.