Marjorie Sprague Billingsley

She was born in Houma, LA on January 7,1926, to Clarence F. and Ruth Olson Sprague, and spent a happy childhood with her four sisters Evelyn, Doris, Clarabelle and Velma. After high school graduation, Marjorie worked at the Houma Naval Air Station Officers Club where she met and married the Officer-in-Charge Oscar Billingsley. They were married for 64 years until his death in May 2009.

Marjorie proved herself a strong military wife with Oscar's frequent and long deployments, and change of duty stations, as she raised their two sons, Joel and Dan. After Oscar’s retirement from the Navy, they settled in Natchitoches, LA where Marjorie completed her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Education at Northwestern State College. She became a model teacher for the Natchitoches Parish Schools, serving as classroom teacher and Reading Specialist. She was recognized as an educational liaison for Grambling College in her position as Teacher Corp Director.

Marjorie was an active member of the Natchitoches First Presbyterian Church, where she was ordained as an Elder. She served as Worthy Matron of the Natchitoches Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, and also at the state level as a Grand Ruth.

Marjorie enjoyed water-skiing, showcasing her skills on the Cane River as a participant in the annual Natchitoches Christmas Festival. She enjoyed boating, walking, fashion, cooking, gardening, sewing, and drama. She was an actress in local community theater productions and was selected as a stand-in for Olympia Dukakis in the film Steel Magnolias produced in Natchitoches. In her retirement, she joined a volunteer dance troupe and enjoyed performing for seniors and shut-ins in costumes that she designed and made.

Most of all, Marjorie treasured her family. She is survived by her two sons and their wives, Joel & Ann Billingsley and Dan & Jackie Billingsley. She is also survived by four grandchildren and their spouses: Joshua & Lisa Billingsley, Elizabeth & Thomas Baldwin, David & Stephanie Billingsley, and Steven & Allyson Billingsley, and two great-grandchildren: Alyson Paige Billingsley and Joseph Timothy Billingsley.