Jean Moore Bilberry was born in Edinburg, MS on April 28th, 1928 to Alton and Pearl Moore. She had the blessing of a peaceful passing in the comfort of her home on April 12th, 2025. Jean was affectionately known as Mother, Mom, Mother B, Mrs. B, Mother Jean, Great Grandmom, Grandma Mom, Sis, Red, and in her later years Miss Blunt, because of her directness in sharing her opinions and suggestions.

She met her husband of 59 years, Charles Guy Bilberry, while working at the Mississippi Oil and Gas Board in Jackson, MS. They married 9 months later on July 24th, 1948 because the weekly trips from Baton Rouge to Jackson that Charles would make to see his sweetheart created a challenge to successfully completing his Geology degree.  Jean supported Charles during his final 2 years at LSU, and after graduation, their first job required them to travel from county to county living like a nomad by renting a room or staying in boarding houses.  While reminiscing about the early years, Jean shared the story of how Charles had once gotten them kicked out of the boarding house when he left freshly skinned squirrels in the community refrigerator.

Jean and Charles were devoted to having a large family and that was achieved by having 5 children. They spent weekends camping or at the baseball park.  Summers allowed for longer trips out west pulling a pop up trailer and staying in campgrounds along the way to the final destination of Colorado. Jean was a magician in how she could pack up everything for the family of 7, plus Chipper the dog. It was through these trips that she passed down her love of nature. Decades later the whole family, including the 8 grandkids, made a pilgrimage back to the favorite campsite and got to explore their old camping grounds. Being out in nature brought Jean incredible joy to share these memories with the next generation.

Eventually, work led the family from Jackson, MS to Houston, TX. These were the years of work, school, college, weddings and finally 'Empty Nesters'. But since city life wasn't their style, and after retiring, Jean and Charles purchased their dream property in Bedias, TX, naming it Kisatchie which means "God's Great Outdoors".  Kisatchie has been filled with many memories of fishing, gardening, berry picking, the occasional hunting excursion, and many lessons in the art of making perfect fried green tomatoes, boiled peanuts, and how to make just about any kind of preserves.

Certain skills were necessary to live in the country.  Jean was a ninja with a garden hoe when it came to dealing with snakes. She was a pro at baiting worms on a hook and she made sure her grandchildren knew how to properly catch a cricket. Jean later became the "Mother Duck" to a group of ducklings that Charles insisted they needed. She was up for the job, as she was a fierce protector of all of the birds. Her favorites were Cardinals (affectionately known as "red birds"), Hummingbirds and Bluebirds. Her love for gardening and flowers is evident around the forever home she and Charles built in the early 2000's. Thursday was a favorite day every week because that was 'Mario Day'.  She was so grateful to have Mario because he cared for and maintained Kisatchie just the way she wanted. She loved Mario's work but loved Mario more.

Her favorite pastime was watching sunrise on the porch while enjoying a cup of black coffee. That was the time of day when family knew it was a good opportunity to 'check in' and discuss family issues.

Jean loved holidays that would bring the family together, particularly Easter. She facilitated epic egg hunts for the grandkids as they were growing up. Christmas was also a favorite,  from finding the perfect tree to decorating the house with snowmen. To Mom, bringing out and placing the snowmen was a holiday in itself. She was always on the hunt for snowmen that had a special spark in their expressions.

In her later years, she developed a new inspiration, watching her grandchildren become parents. As the beloved matriarch of the family, she was the first to know about the newest additions - a testament to her grandchildren's love for her. Visits with the great grandkids brought her such joy. She cooed over them and lit up as she witnessed various milestones. Jean had 7 great grandchildren that she loved dearly, and two more on the way that she was ecstatic about.

Heaven is celebrating the arrival of Jean for her steadfastness in glorifying God while in this world. No doubt she is being rewarded in His Kingdom amongst those who have gone before her. She has been reunited with her husband Charles, her parents Alton and Pearl, brothers Claude, Oscar, Wendell, her eldest son David and her best friend Ruth. Jean is survived by her son Michael, David's wife Jane, and daughters Cynthia (Daryl), Jeanne (Jeff), and Linda (Randy). Her 8 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren now proudly carry her torch for family unity. While we mourn the loss of our matriarch, we take refuge in knowing that we will be reunited in heaven because of Christ's love, His sacrifice on the cross and the forgiveness of our sins. To God be the glory forever and ever!

Our entire family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all who cared for our mother, most especially Ashley, Erika and her family.

Strength and honor are her clothing;

She shall rejoice in time to come.

She opens her mouth with wisdom,

And on her tongue is the law of kindness.

She watches over the ways of her household,

And does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children rise up and call her blessed;

Her husband also, and he praises her.

Many daughters have done well,

But you excel them all.

Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,

But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

Proverbs 31: 25-30