Dear Friends,
It is with deep sadness that I share with you that our long-time and much loved member, Billye Cutchen, has passed away. Billye spent a short time in the hospital and her daughter Beth was able to be with her. Our sincere sympathy goes out to Billye’s family at this time. Pensacola Memorial Gardens will be helping the family with arrangements. No plans have been made yet for a memorial service.
We received this Obituary for Billye from her daughter, Beth.
Billye W. Cutchen died on May 15, 2020, of natural causes. She was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on April 23, 1930.
Billye was preceded in death by her husband, Commander Paul O. Cutchen, her father William Walker, her mother, Naomi Clark and her sister, Wilma Fosgate.
She is survived by her children Shana Stormwalker, Tymbre Dore, Tamara Cutchen, Elizabeth Pouncey, Cynthia Croxton, Bryan Cutchen and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Billye attended Oklahoma College for Women and the University of Oklahoma from 1946 to 1948. She received a BA in Accounting from the University of West Florida in 1981 and graduated magna cum laude. From the same university, she achieved her MA in Accounting Information Systems in 1985. She passed all parts of her CPA exam in the first sitting in 1983.
Billye was an editor and freelance writer, worked for the IRS and retired from the State of Florida after 10 years’ service. She co-authored a series of books on famous catastrophes, in addition to writing articles for Writer’s Digest, Jack and Jill magazine, The New York Times and The Science Teacher, to name a few.
She lived in India, Sri Lanka and Liberia and enjoyed traveling the world extensively with her husband, Paul.
Billye was very involved in her church. She served in many roles including both church Treasurer and Treasurer of the Charitable Trust. She was a Sunday Service Leader, a Finance Team member and also served on the Committee on Ministry. In 2018, she was honored nationally with enrollment in the Unitarian Universalist Women’s Federation’s Clara Barton Sisterhood. Universalist Clara Barton is best known for her work in organizing nursing services during the Civil War and, later, founding the American Red Cross. She did not start this work until she was over 40 — in an era when many women died before reaching that age. The Clara Barton Sisterhood was created in her name as a way for local women’s groups, congregations, and individuals to honor women aged 80 and over for significant contributions to their congregations and communities. Billye’s outstanding commitment and invaluable contributions to her church also made her a natural to be elected an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Pensacola.
In retirement, she very much enjoyed spending time with her extended family, doting on her grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to UUCP or your favorite charity.
This unexpected loss is a great sorrow in the midst of an already difficult time. My thoughts are with all of you who knew and loved Billye through her many years of active service and involvement in our church community. May wonderful memories of the times you spent together bring some comfort.
In Love and Hope,
Rev. Alice Syltie