Billie Johns

Today, we gather with heavy hearts, but also with gratitude and hope, to celebrate the life of, Billie Johns. Billie left her earthly home around midnight on a cold, snowy night on January 25th, and she stepped into her beautiful heavenly home. While our family—, Barry and Gloria Johns; my brother Ryan and Jennifer, Ashley and Ray; Scarlett; and Ryan’s girls, Taylor, Emma, Elle, and Abby—are heartbroken, we take comfort in knowing exactly where she is. Billie would want us to rejoice, because her faith tells us this is not the end, but a homecoming. Billie was 96 years old, a daughter of the late Justine Sword, with a sharp mind and a wonderful sense of humor. To know her was truly to love her. She was the light of our lives, and she will be missed more than words can ever explain. Her love for the Lord shined through her in everything she did. She was a fighter and never feared anything. Billie went through unimaginable things in her life, yet no matter what she faced, she kept going. She taught us what it meant to persevere with grace and faith. No matter the circumstances, she trusted God. In 2015, Billie suffered a stroke that left her paralyzed in her legs and confined to a wheelchair—but that did not defeat her. She didn’t give up. She simply rolled on. When grandad, Reo Johns, passed away, we worried grief might overwhelm her, but it didn’t. Her deep and rooted faith carried her through. Like the Apostle Paul, she learned to be content no matter what state she was in. Billie was the kindest, most warm-hearted woman I’ve ever known. No matter who you were, what you looked like, or what you had done, she always saw the good in people. That’s what made her not only beautiful on the outside, but even more beautiful on the inside. For 11 years, Billie lived at Cedar Creek in Pikeville—not because she had to, but because she wanted to. She loved being there where she could attend church regularly, sing, and enjoy fellowship. Anyone who knew her there will tell you—Billie was the life of the party. She uplifted others simply by being herself. She bloomed exactly where she was planted, and in doing so, she touched so many lives. Billie had a deep love for music, especially worship music. She had a beautiful singing voice and loved to praise the Lord. She also loved dressing up—especially for holidays—and if you knew her, you knew she was always working on a craft. She adored Snapchat filters, her big derby hats, and of course, she never went anywhere without her red lipstick, her hair done, and her nails just right. That was Billie—full of joy, personality, and life. Since her last hospital stay, Billie lived with Barry and Gloria, and we were blessed to celebrate her birthday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas together. Those moments were precious beyond measure. Just four days before she passed, she enjoyed a visit with her pastor and church friends. They sang her favorite hymns, read scripture, held hands, and prayed together. To me, that was her funeral—and she got to attend it. Today, I know she’s walking the streets of gold, telling Granddad everything he’s missed. Truly, Billie fought a good fight, finished her course, and kept the faith. Though we have lost our greatest advocate and prayer warrior here on earth, her faith, her love, and the lessons she poured into us will live on forever. This isn’t goodbye, Billie. It’s simply, I’ll see you later. Entombment will be held on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at the York Mausoleum at Johnson Memorial Park in Pikeville. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Virgie Baptist Church, PO Box 223, Virgie, KY 41572.

Billie Johns

November 13, 1929 - January 26, 2026