Billie R Hogan

Billie R. Hogan was born November 22, 1926 in a small Louisiana community in Sabine Parish, known as Fisher. She was one of eight children of Jody Loy and Ellen Jeanette ìNettieî (Browning) Rashall. Billie was raised in the Fisher area and attended school there, graduating as the Fisher High School Class of 1942 Valedictorian. Upon completion of her education, Billie worked at the Hotel Bentley in Alexandria for a short time, while staying with her brother, Albert who was a chef there. Later, Billie would relocate to Southern California for a time during World War II, where she worked as a welder ìRosie the Riveterî, for Roar Aircraft Company, assisting in the war effort. Billie returned to Provencal, Louisiana and would later marry a high school classmate, Calvin Hogan on July 6, 1946. The couple made their initial home in Provencal and after a short time moved to Fort Worth, Texas, Kansas City and then to Tulsa, Oklahoma. The couple had one daughter, Marilyn. While residing in the south Tulsa area, Billie owned and operated the Kitty Corral Daycare Center for nearly five years, being assisted by her husband, Calvin who drove the daycare bus. While residing in Tulsa, Billie was a member of the Tulsa Baptist Temple, where she was a Sunday school teacher and often assisted with Vacation Bible School. During her daughterís early years, Billie also assisted as a leader in the Blue Bird organization, an early division of Camp Fire USA. Billie was described by her family and friends as a sweet and friendly lady who dedicated her life to her husband, daughter and family. She was extremely family oriented and lived her life for her family taking care of their every need. Billie enjoyed cooking and was famous for her raw apple cake and homemade biscuits. She loved to get her family together throughout the holidays for dinners and always made sure everyone had plenty of leftovers to take home with them. She also enjoyed gardening and giving her granddaughters all the Jello pudding pops they could eat. Her love for children was evident throughout her life as she assisted for many years with the raising of a young girl in Tulsa, Linda Epps, who knew her as Aunt B. Church was always an important part of the Hogan family, as Calvin and Billie later became members of the Independent Baptist Church in Grove and then the Grace Baptist Church in Cleveland when they moved close to Keystone Lake in 2000. Calvin preceded her in death on October 16, 2008, just a couple of months ago. Billie passed away on Friday, December 19, 2008 at the Cleveland Manor Nursing Home at the age of eighty-two. In addition to her husband of sixty-two years, Billie was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Doris Dale and Bobbie Spillman; and four brothers, Albert, Ferman, Norwood and Huey Rashall. Billie is survived by her son Calvin Ray Hogan of Claremore, Oklahoma, a daughter Marilyn K. Stevenson and her husband Jerry of Cleveland, Oklahoma, two grandchildren Melanie Rae Hunter of Owasso, Oklahoma and Allison Kaye Hunter of Daytona Beach, Florida; and a brother, Jodie Rashall of Shreveport, Louisiana. Funeral services where held at 11:00 AM, Monday, December 22, 2008 at the Grace Baptist Church with Rev. Mickey Ellis officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. A private burial will be held at the Woodland Cemetery under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.