Elder J. B. Billingsley, aged fifty years, lacking seven days, died September 8, 1893. Brother Billingsley was baptized by Brother Ussery when he was sixteen years old. He was married to Sister N. L. Smith, widow of Brother R. P. Smith, March 28, 1872. Brother Billingsley was developed into a preacher of the gospel by exercising in public, and conducting a Bible class for a number of years in the Lord's day meetings. For fourteen years or more he has been a public proclaimer of the gospel of Christ. He was sick only about eight days, and during his sickness said to a friend that he knew that he was very sick, that he would like to stay with his family and preach the gospel, but that if it was the Lord's will he was ready to go and had nothing to fear, and quoted Paul's language when he was ready to be offered, and the time of his departure was at hand. He said he had done what he could. He was in his right mind until death, and was talking all the while of the goodness and mercy of God, of his commandments and promises, as he constantly did while in health. When he saw the end was near, he called the family around him and admonished them, one by one, to do their duty and be kind to each other. He gave Elliotte, his oldest son, charge of the family, and then admonished his older children, who are members of the body of Christ, to adorn the profession they had made, and be not conformed to this world, to be humble and yet bold, to cast their cares upon the Lord, for he careth for us: that these light afflictions, which are but for a moment, work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory: that the Lord pitieth them that fear him. "I have always tried to do right," and "There is joy in eternal rest," are a few of the expressions he used while quietly passing away. He had preached at some mission points, and expected to organize a congregation at one place on his next visit. He was truly a good man, and has done and suffered much for Christ. I loved him as a father. He lived, and moved, and had his being in God through the word of the Lord. He studied the Bible much. He had no patience with innovations on the work and worship of the church of the living God, and suffered much for this. His family and friends have the blessed hope of meeting him in glory. --W. A. Simmons. Gospel Advocate, October 12, 1893, page 649.

John B. served in the Fayette County 43rd Alabama Infantry Vols., CSA, Co. I. On the muster roll he is listed as wounded at Drewry's Bluff, VA., lost left leg. He is listed on the 1850 and 1860 Fayette Co. AL census. He is listed in Tishomingo Co. MS on the 1870 and 1880 census as a shoemaker. ---Ancestry.com