Billie Cole

Graveside service for Billie Cole, 86, of Ruston, will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, March 18, 2021, at Simsboro City Cemetery. On August 2, 1934, Billie Jo Mitcham was the youngest child born to the marriage of Beris Thurman and T. R. Mitcham. On March 11, 2021, she was reunited with her loved ones in heaven after three years of battling the effects of a stroke.

As a young teen, she married Bobby Houck of Simsboro and together they raised three children. Billie worked several years at Green Clinic and later retired from Williamette Industries.

She was fiercely independent and spoke often of wanting to go home. With gratitude we can now say she has made it there. We can smile as we imagine her reunion with her siblings, Bo Mitcham, Syble Motes, Margie Casper, Floye Campbell and Betty Hanna. She never stopped grieving the loss of Billy Faye, the infant twin of Tommy and is no doubt smothering him with kisses in heaven.

Billie is survived by children, Thomas Houck of Simsboro, Larry Houck and wife Robin of Conroe, Texas, and Jackie Houck Ogden and husband Ken of Simsboro. Missing their Meemaw are grandchildren, Todd Houck, Chris Ogden, Kimberly Ogden Sutton and husband Trey, Chris Houck, and Cara Houck Weeks and husband Colter. Billie leaves great-grandchildren, Caleb Ogden, Claire Sutton, Joshua Ogden, Audrey Houck, Paislee Ogden and Liam Weeks.

Our family is so grateful for the love and kindness shown to Mother for the last three years at Princeton Place in Ruston. The staff there has certainly been heroes to us this last year when we were not able to visit and look after her in person. We love you all. We would also like to thank everyone with Compassus Hospice for their care.

Anyone who worked with or knew Mother was aware of her insane love for her dogs. In lieu of flowers she would have loved a donation in her memory to 4 Paws Rescue, Inc. of Ruston.

To leave an online memorial message for the family, please visit www.owensmemorialfuneralhome.com.