Billye Ruth Selby, 94, passed away on April 12, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She was born August 31, 1930, to William E. "Billy" Erwin and Ruth D. Robinson in Hill Top Community, near Harrison, Arkansas. She married Derwood L. "Dale" Selby on February 6, 1949 in Wichita Falls, Texas. After a career in retail with Rothschild's Department Store, for whom she became the first female store manager, Billye retired from the Oklahoma County after 10 years of service as a communications supervisor.

Billye attended and graduated from Oklahoma City Central High School in 1947. She was actively involved in church ministry, including United Methodist Women, and Sunday School at several United Methodist churches. Billye was the first female Sunday School superintendent at St. Paul's Methodist Church in Oklahoma City. She worked as an election official and precinct chairwoman for Oklahoma County.

Family was important to Billye, and she was a devoted daughter, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved watching the Oklahoma City Thunder play basketball. Billye was kind and generous and made friends wherever she went.

Billye was preceded in death by her parents; stepfather, Cecil Ledsinger; her beloved husband of 41 years, Dale; sister, Dorothie Erwin; brother, Eddie Erwin; her grandson, Jacob; and many other relatives.

She is survived by her daughter, Sharon; her sons, Bart and his wife Shelli, and Brett and his wife Brenda; her grandchildren, Chris and his wife Heather; Riley, Parker, Zachary and his wife Katie, Kyler, and Maycie; her great-grandchildren, Kody, Ashley, Samuel, and Noah; her sister, Jeanette Edwards, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Viewing will be Tuesday, April 15 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Mercer-Adams Funeral Service, Bethany, and the family will be present. After a private burial, her Celebration of Life will be held Friday, April 18, at 1:00 pm in the Watchorn Chapel at St. Luke's Methodist Church, OKC.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Jacob's Cupboard (a food ministry in honor of her grandson) at www.westmetro.org or the Baptist Village Adams Assistance Fund at https://baptistvillage.org/giving/.

The family would like to express heartfelt thanks to Baptist Village Communities and Excell Hospice for their excellent care of Billye.