July 13, 2012

Our beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, cousin and friend was called to his eternal resting place on the morning of July 13, 2012, surrounded by his family and friends.

Billy Earl Briggs Sr., was born Jan. 16, 1949, to Alberta Briggs Jackson and the late Amos Tillery Sr. He attended Suffolk Public Schools and graduated from Booker T. Washington. He retired from Blair Brothers Inc. after many years of service.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his mother, Alberta Jackson; a loving wife, Mary Briggs; three children, Sharon Jennings, Billy Earl Briggs Jr. (Samira), and Raina Briggs Rollins (Alvin); three step-children, Tony Artis (Priscilla), Belinda Artis and Kevin Artis (Lucinda); five brothers, James Briggs, Edward Jackson (Cathy), Lee Otis Tillery (Louise), Lovoil Tillery (Rory), Milton Tillery (Kim); five sisters, Gwendolyn Dildy (Jeff), Helen McCoy (Kenny), Irene Jordan (Jimmy), Joanne Ricks (Johnny) and Tonya Tillery; 16 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren including a special granddaughter, Destiny Artis; and many other family and friends.

Mr. Briggs’ visitation will take place at T.E. Cooke-Overton Funeral Home on Monday from noon to 7 p.m. A celebration of life service will take place at New Mt. Joy Church on Tuesday at 1 p.m. He will be laid to rest in the T.E. Cooke-Overton Garden of Carver Memorial Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy and flowers may be extended to the family at www.cookeovertonfuneralhome.com.