Billie Gene Baxley Schwiers – May 02, 1931 – October 06, 2022

Billie Gene Baxley Schwiers left this world on October 06, 2022, in her favorite place on earth, the small cottage she built in 1976 in Garden City, South Carolina.  Born and raised in the low country of South Carolina it was her wish to be next to the waters that had provided her so much comfort and joy these last years.

She was a beautifully complicated, flawed, and passionate human being.  She would often recall what a life she had lived from fishing the waters of Black River with her father, to making biscuits in the small white board house with her mother, to the hours spent laughing with her siblings in their childhood home.  Her life would take her to the foothills of South Carolina where she raised her children and instilled in them the values of integrity, perseverance, and compassion. She never lost hope in those she loved and each day through her actions she served as a role model for her children that it is never too late to be the person you should have been.

As a woman she proved that there were no limitations on what you could accomplish no matter your gender, where you came from or what you had, you simply needed to believe in yourself, work hard, and trust the fact that God would guide you.  She took life by the reins when faced with what seemed insurmountable challenges and ran a 100-acre farm working in the fields, ran multiple businesses, received her real estate license at 55 years of age, and her master gardener's certification at 70 years of age.

She loved to surround herself with people from all walks of life and believed that every individual had value.  If she called you her friend you knew that no matter what she was the one you could count on to provide a shoulder for tears, a stiff drink for the nerves, the hard truth, and unbridled love.

She will join her family at Old Johnsonville Cemetery and a private burial will be held in honor of this extraordinary lady on October 15, 2022, at 1:00pm EDT. Instead of flowers that will wilt away with time she would want people to take that sentiment and make a difference in this life by extending a hand to those in need, caring for those that cannot care for themselves, rescuing an animal and providing them with love and safety, and be thankful for each day.  Should you want to contribute in lieu of flowers, please do so to her beloved Trinity Lutheran Church, 421 North Main Street, Greenville South Carolina 29601.