Funeral: 2 p.m. May 27, at Riverdale Baptist Church, Nixa, with Rev. Jamie Bilyeu officiating. A luncheon will take place at noon and the visitation will take place at 1 p.m. Memorial gifts in Villa Ann’s memory may be made to Glenn Cemetery, P.O. Box 164, Nixa, or to Riverdale Baptist Youth, P.O. Box 1571, Nixa.
Villa Ann Glenn, 96, of Nixa, died May 20, 2019. Villa Ann was born in Spokane, the second daughter of Earl, who owned a tomato-canning factory, where she worked, and Ruby (Maples) Bilyeu, who called her daughter her “helper.” After high school, she attended Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield. She went on to receive her bachelor’s degree and finished her master’s and specialist degrees in education there. During that time, she endured the heartbreak of losing family and friends in the second world war.
In 1944, she married Freman Glenn, who preceded her in death in 1999. They had two sons.
As a teacher, Mrs. Glenn taught in Spokane and Nixa schools. She developed several educational programs (Federal Grants, Curriculum, Library) for Nixa that were later adopted by multiple other schools. She later became Nixa Schools’ first guidance counselor. She was a member of the Riverdale Baptist Church, where she was an active member in teaching Sunday School for over 40 years. Upon her retirement, she volunteered with the Springfield Nature Center for several years.
She leaves behind her two sons, Robert and Joey with wife Joan, of Nixa. Other survivors include her five precious grandchildren and their spouses, Shane Glenn (Toni), Ryan Glenn, Gregg Glenn (Kristal), Kathryn Brown (Corey), and Sarah Brockmeier (Billy); her great-grandchildren (they always called her “Great”), Tori, Abbie and Parker Glenn of Minnesota, Tyler (Bernice) of Clever, and Mollie Glenn of Nixa; Ryleigh, Annslee and Sailor Glenn of Nixa; Sara Brown of Paragould, Arkansas; and Deacon Brown of Nixa; and Charlea and Liam Brockmeier of Ozark. Her great-great grandchildren are Lily and Beau Glenn of Clever. Her priceless grandchildren came to her house for dinner every Sunday, where she cooked dinner for dozens of people, well into her 90s.
Villa Ann leaves two siblings behind: Richard (Marilyn) Bilyeu and Connie (Bobby Joe) Bilyeu. She was preceded in death by sisters Va Ruth and Virginia, as well as brothers Earl, Elbert, David and Tommy Bilyeu. She also leaves several nieces and nephews.
There are many lessons to be learned from the life that Villa Ann lived, any of which can be learned by speaking to someone that had the privilege of knowing her.
A special thank you to Phoenix Hospice staff, especially Nurse Dianna, for their outstanding care of Villa Ann, as well as Betty White, who cared for her in her home. Their constant support of our family was greatly appreciated!
