Candace Billberry

Candace Billberry, 70, of Machesney Park was called home Saturday, February 20, 2021.  Born December 1, 1950, in Rockford, the daughter of Enry and Trudell (Hicks) Purifoy.  Graduated from Harlem High School.  Married James Edward Billberry on August 28, 1968.  Employed by Thermo Fisher Scientific for more than 30 years, retiring in 2018.  She loved spending time with family, especially her granddaughters.  Candace enjoyed gardening, interior decorating, word games and cooking.  Avid Chicago Bears fan and action movies.  Survivors include her son, James Billberry; granddaughters, Jamequa Billberry and Beonka Billberry; great-grandson, Grayson Lockhart; siblings, Judy (Edward) Seals, Ada Malone, Randy Purifoy of Little Rock, Arkansas, Wayne Purifoy, Brenda Purifoy and Robert (Tabitha) Purifoy of Detroit, Michigan; sister-in-law, Joyce Billberry of Stockton, California; grand-kitty’s, Watson and Susie Q; special friends, Twyla Hauser and Joseph Eckburg.  Predeceased by her parents; husband; daughter, Yolanda Billberry; siblings, Claude Ferguson, Sr., Roger Purifoy, Pamela Sharp and Bridget Purifoy; nephews, Tyrone Perkins Purifoy, Zavar Purifoy, and Tavarous Woodfork; great-nephew, Christian Purifoy.

Service at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 6, 2021, in Delehanty Funeral Home, Ltd., 401 River Lane, Loves Park, with a walk-through visitation from 1 p.m. to service time.  Social distancing and face coverings required.  Private family Burial in Sunset Memorial Gardens.