Billye Jeanne Shuttlesworth

Billye Jeanne Toole Shuttlesworth of Troup, TX, fell asleep peacefully and arrived in the presence of the Lord on May 11, 2026. Billye Jeanne was born on December 29, 1928 and raised in the East Texas area.

She was lovingly called Mother, Lady, B. J., Sister, Aunt Sister, Cuz and “Gigoo” (by her beloved grandsons). Billye graduated from Salem High School and attended Tyler Commercial College. She and Gene married in 1951 and celebrated 73 years of marriage before his passing in April 2024.

Billye Jeanne followed Gene in the oil field until they settled back in Troup to raise their two daughters. She held various jobs all her life from City Hall secretary to school bus driver. Billye was an avid painter, teacher of the arts and seamstress for her girls. In her later years she attended Tyler Jr. College studying the Arts, Spanish and Social Studies.

She and Gene always had a lovely summer garden. They also enjoyed traveling for several years on Gene’s ship “The USS Kadashan Bay reunions tours” all over the U.S. Billye was of the Christian faith and served at several positions within the church as Sunday school teacher and church secretary at the First Assembly of God Church in Troup, also secretary for Union Grove Cemetery.

Billye is survived by her daughters, Lynda Born of Tyler, Brenda (Katie) Staples of Mansfield TX; grandsons, Zachary of Las Vegas, NV, and Noah and wife Merry Jett of Arlington, TX. Brother, Ray and Kay Toole of Granbury, TX; sister-in-law, Judy Toole of Celina, TX; also, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Billye is preceded in death by her husband Gene, her parents, Johnie Abraham Toole and Eddie Milfred Thompson, sons-in-law, Jerry Born and David Staples.

Visitation is 1:00 p.m., with Celebration of Life at 2:00 p.m., at Cottle Funeral Home, 105 East Bradford, Troup, TX. Graveside following at Union Grove Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to PALS, prosthetic and limb difference support.

Make checks payable to PALS-Texas Scottish Rite Hospital, P.O. Box 122027, Dept. 2027, Dallas, Tx 75312 or a charity of your choice.

Strength and honor are her clothing, and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness. Proverbs 31:25-26

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