Billie Murphy

Billie Jean was born June 30, 1931 in Lonoke, Arkansas and went to be with her Lord January 13, 2019. Of the many roles she played in life, being a wife and mother were of utmost importance to her and she gave it her all. Her family could not have been more blessed. She was also a fantastic mother-in-law, grandmother, sister, sister-in-law law, aunt, niece, teacher and friend. She was a true Proverbs 31 woman: of noble character, speaks with wisdom and clothed in strength and dignity.

Billie Jean attended school in De Valls Bluff and Arkansas State Teacher's College in Conway where she shared her beautiful voice in a play. She was a choir director in Searcy for a year. She was a very beloved teacher at the Arkansas School for the Deaf for 21 years. In her final year, she wrote one of the most memorable Christmas plays the school had ever experienced. It included a cast of 85 children and was a huge success!

Billie Jean was preceded in death by her parents, William John Reiff and Lorene Simpson Reiff, and her sister Dorothy.  She is survived by her husband David, her sons Michael and wife Sandy, Kim, Robin and wife Lynn, and grandchildren Allison, Jonathan, David, Art, Jessica and Mikayla, and great grandchildren Loren, Cody, Peyton, Gracie and Brandon.  She will be missed by all who found her to be loving, kind, a good listener and friend who always had an encouraging word.