Billie Jean Hooten

Billie Jean (Bagby) Hooten, 72, of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, passed away Thursday, February 23, 2023, at Baptist Health Medical Center while on a brief stay at Twin Rivers Rehabilitation facility. 

She was born January 22, 1951, in Sulphur Springs, Texas, to Billy Gene O’Shields and Nancy Lee Bagby.  Billy Gene passed away shortly before her birth.  After Nancy passed away in 1953, BJ was adopted by her beloved grandparents, William Edward Bagby and Mary Emelyn Miller. 

Billie Jean was a member of the Sulphur Springs High School class of 1969.  She was a long time member of First Presbyterian Church of Sulphur Springs.  She worked at HD Lee Manufacturing and Eckerd Drug Store for over a decade each.  She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, her cats, and watching the Dallas Cowboys.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her son, Jimmy B. Hooten, her brother, William Henry Bagby and her sister, Martha Ted Miller. 

Left to cherish her memory are her son, Cody (Chanda) Hooten of Arkadelphia, Arkansas; grandchildren, Clinton Blake Payne, Colton Blaze Hooten (Julia), Huston Thomas Hooten, Hayden Michael Hooten and Emelyn Jimi Cary Hooten; great-grandchildren, Maddox Lane Payne and Harper Lynn Hooten.

BJ’s visitation will be held from 6-8 pm Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at West Oaks Funeral Home in Sulphur Springs.  Her funeral service will be held at 2:00 Thursday, March 2, 2023 at West Oaks with Ricky Godbolt officiating. 

In lieu of flowers, the family request that you make a donation to a charity that brings BJ to your mind. Recommendations include The Sulphur Springs Animal Shelter or The Henderson State University Foundation-Reddie Baseball.

Arrangements are entrusted to Ruggles Wilcox Funeral Home, 517 Clay Street, Arkadelphia, AR 71923.