Billie McConkey Shelby

Billie McConkey Shelby passed away on December 23, 2025, peacefully after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. She was born in Sweetwater, TN, attended Clinton High School but spent the majority of her life in Knoxville, TN. She was a good and faithful servant and will be welcomed into the hands of our Lord. She was a lifelong member of the Baptist faith and a member of West Hills Baptist Church. Billie married her high school beau, Jim R Shelby, with “Big Jim” Haslam as their best man. They were married over 55 years until Jim Shelby’s passing. They led an adventurous life together beyond what many could only dream of. Billie and Jim made so many friends along their journey that they were too numerous to mention but always in her heart. Billie loved to travel visiting the great Wall of China and castles in Russia to name only a few. She loved spending time in Hilton Head with so many of her friends and family. In her younger days, she enjoyed playing golf at Cherokee Country Club but mostly enjoyed her weekly bowling team there. She also loved her “gathering” dinners on Friday nights at Cherokee. Besides working as a “Boutique Lady” at Steinmart, Billie became a philanthropist at heart in the city of Knoxville where she loved serving on fundraisers, and a board member for numerous places such as Ijams Nature Center, Helen Ross McNabb Center, Pellissippi State, Bijou Theater, Knoxville Symphony, and Friends of the Smokies to just name a few. Billie loved University Of Tennessee athletics and always attended games no matter the sport. Basketball and football were closest to her heart. She had season football tickets since the late 1950s and always followed her Vols. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd and Ruth (Jones ) McConkey, and sister, Elizabeth Braden, and brother, Jimmy McConkey; also nephews, Mark McConkey, Michael Braden, and niece, Myra Glandon. She is survived by daughter, Stacey Shelby Conaway (Richard) of Summerville, SC, and Sherri Shelby Springer (Jack) of Knoxville,TN; grandchildren, Shelby Springer of Knoxville, TN, and Sam Springer (Alyssa) of Maryville,TN, with her great grandchildren, Miles and Lily Springer, sister, Virginia Richards (JT), brother, Eddie McConkey (Leona), and niece, Scarlett Thomas. The family would like to mention Joseph Stair who Mother reunited with from high school after both of their spouses passed away. Joe went to high school with Billie and Jim and became a constant friend and sweetheart for many years with Billie and cared for her until her passing. To him, we are truly grateful. Family will receive friends on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at West Hills Baptist Church, 409 Winston Road, Knoxville, TN 37909, at 4:00 PM, with services to follow in the Church at 5:00 PM. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to West Hills Baptist Church in Billie’s honor.

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Billie McConkey Shelby

December 23, 2025