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06/29/2017 - Jennings Mountain, AR, USA

Josefa "Pepi" Lenaerts Gill age 78, of Jennings Mountain, Logan County, Arkansas, passed away on June 29, 2017.

Pepi worked as a teacher, homemaker and, being fluent in five languages, served as an interpreter for the U.S. government and various court systems.

Josefa was born in the midst of the Spanish Civil War on November 8, 1938 in Barcelona, Spain to Basque/Belgian parents, Casilda Urbieta Echarte and Raymond Theodore Lenaerts. In March of the following year her family was part of La Retirada, the retreat, into French refugee camps. Ultimately they settled in Brussels, Belgium. 

While working at SHAPE, a NATO airbase in Mons, Belgium, she met Billy Ray Gill, her future husband. They were married in October of 1969 following her immigration to the United States.

Josefa was preceded in death by her parents, Casilda Urbieta Echarte and Raymond Theodore Lenaerts.

Pepi is survived by her loving husband of forty eight years, Billy Ray Gill, and three daughters, Yasmina Goffin Baledge (Les), Shirley Gill Walker (Louis) and Joan Gill Strack (Bruce). She is also survived by four grandchildren, Barrett Baledge, Brooke Baledge, Lucas Walker and Brennan Walker.

A graveside service will take place July 3, 2017 at noon, and interment immediately following in the National Cemetery in Fort Smith, Arkansas. 

Condolences can be sent to 5944 Earl Prairie Road, Booneville, AR 72927. The Ione Volunteer Fire Department, 374 French Prairie Road, Booneville, AR 72927, is accepting memorials. Memorials may also be sent via paypal to (479) 206-2488

(published in Dignity Memorial)