Obituary for Jo Ann Billy

Jo Ann Billy of Poteau was born March 29, 1937 in Magazine, Arkansas to William Barrett and Gertrude (Garlington) Simkins and passed away Sept. 29, 2024 in Heavener at the age of 87.

Funeral service is 2 p.m. Wednesday at Trinity Baptist Church in Poteau with Reverend David Billy, Barry Bruton, and Nathan Billy officiating.  Burial will follow in Vaughn Cemetery in the Gilmore community under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener.

Jo Ann was a devoted Christian, who ministered alongside her husband, Pastor LeRoy Billy, at Hontubby Baptist Church in Hontubby for 10 years and at Trinity Baptist Church in Poteau for 49 years. Together, they owned and operated KPRV Radio, serving area communities for over 36 years. Jo Ann was Chief Director of Operations for her family, the CEO of Coleman Broadcasting, and the Director of Jo Ann’s Lazy J Plantation near Gilmore.

Jo Ann’s legacy is evident in the number of people she loved and served through Sunday School and Wednesday night Bible classes, summer Kiamchi Baptist Assembly Church Camps, and Vacation Bible Schools. She knew the piano accompaniment by heart to every hymn in the book. She made the best homemade cinnamon rolls and gave the best hugs. She was the greatest “Grannie JoAnnie” and the most “Worrisome Nana.” And as the verse in Proverbs says, “her children arise up, and call her blessed.” She left an indelible stamp on this Earth, but she missed her sweetheart.

Jo Ann is survived by her daughter Belinda Westfall and husband Joe; her sons Barry Burton and wife Julie, David Billy and wife Lisa, and Nathan Billy and husband Stacy; her grandchildren Ashlee McBride, Michael Billy, Curtis Bennett, Thomas Westfall, Laura Westfall, Chris Hackett, Daniel Bruton, Robyn Rivera and Aidan Billy; great-grandchildren Zoey Westfall, Lily Westfall, Jeremiah Hackett, Noah Hackett, Cade Klusmeyer, Raymond Klusmeyer, Sophia Klusmeyer and Mia Klusmeyer.

Jo Ann is preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, LeRoy Billy; her parents; six brothers Roy Simkins, William Simkins, John Simkins, Gene Simkins, Robert Simpkins and Glen Simkins; three sisters Mildred Barker, Ruth Sims and Katherine Mikles; and granddaughter, Alison Hackett.

Pallbearers are her grandsons.

Viewing is from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, and 9 until 11 a.m. Wednesday. The family will visit with friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

To sign Jo Ann’s online guestbook please visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.