Billie Jean Heffner

Billie Jean Box Heffner passed away Tuesday, June 7, at the age of 80. Mrs. Heffner was born July 11, 1935, in Oklahoma, to Woodrow W. and Ruby Collins Box. She grew up in Baytown, Texas, and graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1953. On May 28, 1954, she married Glynn Heffner, and they began their life together filled with love and devotion to family.

Mrs. Heffner was a wonderful lady—a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She had a kind, loving heart and a generous soul. Soft-spoken and sweet-natured, she never met a stranger, and everyone who ever met her loved her instantly. She loved people and accepted them as they were, so it was not unusual for her house to be a hub of activity. Even in her later years, visitors that included her children, grandchildren, their friends, old friends, and neighbors stopped by to check on Gan Gan and visit. She had a way of making people feel special.

Through the years, she supported her family’s activities that included the Lee band and athletic events, Sterling Stars and athletic events, and Barbers Hill athletic events in addition to the many piano recitals, gymnastics meets, and weightlifting competitions. Add to that all the high school and college graduations, wedding showers, weddings, and baby showers, Gan Gan was always there celebrating with us. She took great pride in her family’s accomplishments and always provided us with the love and support we needed to be successful.

That’s not to say she didn’t have some favorite things of her own. She loved reading books, watching Hallmark movies, working in the yard, and eating at her favorite Mexican food restaurant where she allowed herself to indulge in a margarita or two.

Mrs. Heffner was a devoted wife to her husband Glynn and for all of their marriage, she made sure he was well taken care of. She supported his never-ending hobbies—cars, computers, and antiques—and enjoyed every minute she spent with him. She took great pride in maintaining a loving home for him and her family.

Her legacy is the example she set in the way she lived and the way she loved. We will miss her terribly.

Mrs. Heffner was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Glynn Heffner, and her dear sister and brother-in-law Barbara and Garland Smith. She is survived by her beloved daughter Angela Heffner Butler and husband Bobby and beloved son Tony Marshall Heffner and wife Julie. She leaves five grandchildren whom she adored: Mark Heffner and wife Kelly, Jill Laird and husband Chad, Kristina Swart and partner Lindsay, Christopher Swart and wife Lynsey, and Cameron Swart and special friend Lillian Carroll. Great-grandsons Luke and Will Laird, Kelby Swart, and Knox Cathey also survive. She also leaves a brother she loved so much, Jerry Box and his wife Steffani and a special uncle, Carl Collins.

Mrs. Heffner is also survived by a niece Lorie Smith Armstrong, and nephews Joey Smith, Ricky Box, and Michael Box and their families.

Special recognition is extended to Fran Mica, who gave Mrs. Heffner wonderful, personalized care over the past year and to the doctors and staff at Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital and Cedar Bayou Rehabilitation Center, for their care during her illness.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 in the evening on Wednesday, June 8, at Earthman Funeral Home in Baytown. Funeral services will be held the following day on Thursday, June 9, at 10:00 in the morning. Burial will follow at Whites Cemetery in Highlands.

Serving as pallbearers will be Mrs. Heffner’s grandsons, Mark, Chad, Christopher, and Cameron, and nephews Joey and David.

To honor the life of Billie Jean Box Heffner, donations can be made in her name to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org or M.D. Anderson Hospital at www.mdanderson.org.