Billie Jo Boughton was born on July 25, 1934, in Mangham, to Irma and Buddy Cook. She went to be with the Lord on January 10, 2026, after a lengthy illness surrounded by her family. Visitation will be held Thursday from 9:30-11:00 at First Baptist Church of Rayville. The funeral service will be held immediately following. Burial services will be held at Rayville Masonic Cemetery under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home.

Billie Jo was lovingly married to Floyd Bruce Boughton on July 27, 1956, and remained married for 59 years, until he passed on July 19, 2015.

A faithful follower of Christ and a devoted member of First Baptist Church in Rayville, Billie Jo lived out her Christian values through her unselfish service to others, both professionally and personally.

Billie Jo lived her entire life in Richland Parish, where she and Floyd Bruce raised their family. She graduated from Rayville High School in 1952 and graduated from Northeast Louisiana State College in 1956 in Home Economics. She worked for 35 years in Child Protective Services in the Rayville area. She made lifelong friends there, Helen Diamond, Lorraiane Lamey, Lucy Robinson and many others. Later, she returned to work part-time with the Fifth District Court for Judge Glynn Roberts, where she assisted in the office and answered the phone. She enjoyed this role so much that she continued working for another 15 years.

Billie Jo’s family and friends meant everything to her. Floyd Bruce and Billie Jo had two children, LeAnn and Billy Bruce. Her pride and joy were her grandchildren, Lee and Sarah Jo, and later their children, Ali, Tripp and David. Billie Jo was very involved with Lee and Sarah Jo, often picking them up for school, cooking whatever they wanted and never missing an activity they were involved in, including Riverfield Academy where she made lifelong friendships with many families.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Floyd Bruce Boughton, her parents, Irma and Buddy Cook, stepfather, Sam Franklin and stepbrother, Billy Franklin. She is survived by daughter LeAnn Thomason and husband Lasley and son, Billy Bruce Boughton. Grandson Lee Thomason and wife Nikki, granddaughter Sarah Jo Brun and husband Andrew; great-grandchildren Ali and Tripp Thomason and David Louis Brun. She is also survived by nieces and nephews of Floyd Bruce, Julie and Timmy Cockerham, Jane Boughton and Randy and Trish Boughton and all their children.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff of St. Joseph Assisted Living for the loving care and kindness they showed Billie Jo during her time there. They are also sincerely thankful to the staff of Elara Home Care and Hospice, whose compassion and presence brought comfort and peace to Billie Jo and her family during her final days. Heartfelt thanks are extended to Dr. Kevin Carlisle for his many years of devoted care. The family is especially grateful to her sitters—Crystal Boatwright, LaShonda Roberson, Damya Wordlaw, and Romona Drungo—for the patience, tenderness, and love they shared over the years. A very special thank you is reserved for Juana Walker and Beatrice Franklin, who became not only trusted caregivers, but dear friends. The family offers much love and thanks to all who helped care for their mother.

Pallbearers will be Noah Reeves, Lyle Russell, Dane Moore, Guy Pardue, Timmie Cockerham, Charles Johnston, Andrew Brun and Lee Thomason.

Arrangements are under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral home of Rayville. Family requests any memorials be made to Riverfield Academy and Louisiana Baptist Children’s home or a charity your choice.