Billie June (Mizell) Morris

Billie June Morris, a Lake Charles mother and churchgoer whose curiosity and passion for travel took her around the world — forging lifelong friendships along the way — passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, July 31, 2021. She was 91.

Billie grew up in Oakdale, Louisiana, where she graduated from high school in 1946. She was a graduate of Louisiana State University, where she was a member of Phi Mu Sorority, and she remained a lifelong Tiger fan — Geaux Tigers! In 1954 she married James Walter Morris Jr., with whom she had two children; they moved 17 times in 13 years, living in Panama, Florida, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Connecticut, in addition to Louisiana. After her husband died in 1972, Billie moved back to Lake Charles where she raised her two children and worked at PPG Industries until she retired.

Billie’s interests included Louisiana cooking, reading, travel and lifelong learning. She was a member of the Calcasieu Forum book club and enjoyed McNeese Leisure Learning programs. She was passionate about travel and had visited all fifty states and fifty-six countries on every continent except Antarctica. In recent years, she especially enjoyed visiting US national parks with her daughter.

Billie was active with the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Charles where she served as an elder and Clerk of the Session, as well as with the larger church, having served on the Committee on Ministry in Baton Rouge and liaison to all the Presbyterian churches in Southwest Louisiana. She was also active in Presbyterian Women.

Preceding Billie in death are her husband Jimmy; her parents, Dennis and Ruby Mizell; and her son-in-law Stephen Schierling. She is survived by her daughter, Sharon Schierling; son, Paul Morris; daughter-in-law, Christy Morris; and granddaughter, Rebecca Morris.

Billie will be most remembered as someone who cultivated and cherished her friendships. She had many beloved friends whom she considered to be like family.

Her family would like to express appreciation and gratitude for the love and amazing care provided by the dedicated caregivers who helped Billie in her final years.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Charles, PO Box 4665, Lake Charles, LA 70606.

Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the visitation from the chapel of Hixson Funeral Home, Lake Charles, on Thursday, August 5, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Visitation will resume on Friday, August 6, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. until the Funeral Service, officiated by Rev. Chandler Willis, at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow in Prien Memorial Park Cemetery.

Pallbearers for her service will be her nephew Kevin Morris Castle, Ken Jordan, Trey Litel, Mike Marcantel, Sean Marcantel, and Jordan Ross.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.JEHixson.com for the Morris family.