Billie Jean was born on March 11, 1942 in Evans, Louisiana to parents Norris and Minnie (Fowler) Craft and entered into eternal rest April 7, 2019 at the age of 77. Billie Jean graduated from Oberlin High School. She attended Eastfield College, Texas A & M and the University of Missouri. She received her degrees in nursing and real estate. Billie Jean worked in real estate for 35 years and then nursing for 25 years. She was just an amazing person; raising five children by herself. Her children remembered her smelling like sugar cookies. Billie Jean was a devoted Christian. She loved reading her Bible and her faith in God was solid. Billie Jean was a strong, kind and giving lady. She was most definitely a leader, someone to follow. Billie Jean enjoyed doing things for others. She loved dancing the Jitter Bug and was very proud of her Cajun roots. She was very involved in her community, the PTA and helping gather school supplies for children. Billie Jean was an advocate for Veteran’s wellbeing at the V.A. She was committed to the senior citizens that lived in her community. When new people would move in to her community, she would always greet them with a water pitcher and an ivy planted inside known as “Leaves of Love”. Billie Jean will be missed tremendously by those who knew and loved her.
Billie Jean was preceded in death by her parents, brothers; William, Norris, Jack and Bobby, sisters; Louise “Boots” and Margie and her other parents; Armille and Rosie Rider, whom she loved very deeply.
She is survived by her daughter Rhonda Pierce and husband Glenn Champion of Ft. Worth, daughter Elaine Jones and husband Gordon of Houston, daughter Lori Bass and husband Roy of Lavon, son Tom Glenn and wife Karri of Kaufman and daughter Cynthia Glenn of Gun Barrel City, grandchildren; Shannon, Sarah, Nathan, Amanda, Erin, Misti, Michael, Melanie, Ashley, Justin, Taylor, Hannah and Hayden, 18 great-grandchildren, sister Opal Whiddon and husband Emmitt of Gun Barrel City, sister Marie Payne of Mabank, sister Mary Jordan and husband Carl of Lumberton, Patricia LeDoux of Lake Charles and Jane Ray of Liberty, other loving family members and many more lifelong friends.
