Billie Jo Hadley
1939 – 2023
On the night of October 8, 2023, at the age of 84, Billie Jo Hadley left this world for her new home in heaven.
Billie Jo Parks was born on May 12, 1939, in Talihina, Oklahoma to mother Aura Kathrine Mills-Parks, and father Joe Parks. After the death of their mother, Billie Jo and her 3 sisters were sent to live at the Oklahoma Baptist Children’s Home in Oklahoma City. Even though losing their mother at such a young age was hard, Billie Jo was born with a strong spirit of resilience that made her determined to make the best of her situation. Billie Jo spoke of her time at the children’s home fondly throughout her life, stating that the home gave her opportunities that she never would have had otherwise. She loved to tell stories of her time living at the Baptist Children’s Home to anyone who would listen, especially her grandchildren.
On August 16, 1957, Billie Jo married her high school sweetheart, and love of her life, JD Hadley. They had the first wedding at Village Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, where they were charter members and attended for many years. Billie Jo and JD were married for 66 years, 1 month, and 22 days, and anyone who knows Billie Jo and JD, knows that they loved each other fiercely for every single one of those days. Billie Jo was known to tell everyone, anywhere, (even complete strangers!) that her husband was “The best husband to walk this earth”, and she meant every single word. Billie Jo and JD welcomed their son, Kenneth Wayne Hadley on October 4, 1959. Billie Jo described being his mother as the “The greatest joy of her life” and she loved and cared for their family with ferocity.
Billie Jo had many passions throughout her life, her passion for the Lord being the greatest. Billie Jo and JD taught Sunday School at Village Baptist Church in the Young Married class for many years and ministered to countless newlywed couples during their time. She was also passionate about education and politics. After graduating from the University of Central Oklahoma she went to teach junior high civics for 10 years. During her time teaching, one of her favorite things was taking her students on class trips to Washington DC. She loved getting her students excited about government and politics and being able to take them there was one of her favorite memories. After her years teaching, she went on to become a real estate agent, her outgoing personality and tenacity lead to a thriving real estate career for more than 30 years.
Outside of her work, Billie Jo loved to spend time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She loved being able to spoil them any time she had the chance. Billie Jo had many hobbies, including traveling (her favorite places being Paris, France and of course, Las Vegas!), playing the piano, crochet, and (another one of her biggest passions in life)- Shopping. Billie Jo viewed shopping as an extreme sport, not to be taken lightly! Her obsession with Neiman Marcus led to her being friends on a first name basis with the employees at the store in Dallas, Texas. (JD subsequently becoming a professional expert in holding bags and waiting outside dressing rooms!). Billie Jo loved to laugh and was a force of nature when she wanted to be. She lived her life being unapologetically herself, in exactly the way she wanted. She was determined, resilient, and stronger than she seemed till her final moments.
Billie Jo is preceded in death, and greeted in heaven, by her parents Aura Kathrine Mills-Parks, and Joe Parks. Sisters, Jane Wisniewski, and Sue Tompkins, and nephew Scott Tompkins. Billie Jo is survived, and missed, by her beloved husband, JD Hadley of Edmond Oklahoma. Her son Dr. Kenneth Hadley, and daughter in law Melissa of Edmond, Oklahoma. Her three grandchildren; Maeghan Olsen (and husband Justin) of Bethel Acres, Oklahoma, Maddison Hill (and husband Alex) of Edmond, Oklahoma, and Allston Hadley (and girlfriend Audrey Plunkett) of Edmond, Oklahoma. Her three Great grandchildren; Gibson
Olsen, Ellie Hill, and Kira Hill. Her sister, Daisy Gibson of Edmond, Oklahoma. Her nieces; Mitzi Varvrick (and husband Bob) of Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, and Nancy Allen (and husband Chris) of Gracemont, Oklahoma, and her nephews; Steve Tompkins (and wife Julie) of Nolanville, Texas, and Wayne Wisniewski (and wife Kristie) of College Station, Texas.
In lieu of flowers the family has asked for donations to be made in her name to either: The Oklahoma Baptist Children’s Home where she grew up. https://www.obhc.org . Or, 1 Day Ranch Animal Rescue, a nonprofit started by her granddaughter. https://www.1dayranch.org/
Services will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, October 16, 2023 at Matthews Funeral Home.
We will be live streaming this service. To watch the service CLICK HERE to go to our YouTube page. Click on ‘Videos’, then ‘Live Streams’.
Aunt Billie Jo was truly “one of a kind”! She taught me many things and I am lucky to have been a witness to their love story. No man loved a woman as much as Uncle JD loved her.
I have many fond memories of her but some of my favorites are from my childhood when we would visit Oklahoma and she would drive me around OKC in her Cadillac to the “finest” places in OKC — what a treat for a kid from Nebraska! Billie Jo and JD gave us a great gift; they hosted our wedding at their home 29 1/2 year ago and made it a day to remember!
May your sweet memories comfort you in the days ahead.
Much love,
Chris and Nancy Allen
Many years ago Aunt Billie welcomed me into the family with open arms. Once my children were born she doted on them almost like another grandmother. Billie and JD helped us buy and sell a home in Edmond — I never stressed or worried over the process because they were so helpful and professional. During difficult times in my life Billie was quick to call with encouragement. She truly was unapologetically Billie and I loved that about her. Anyone who knew her was keenly aware of her devotion to Uncle JD and she was clearly as devoted to her Lord and Savior. I had many conversations about faith with Billie when her eyes would fill with tears and her voice would crack as she told me she just wanted to live her life in a way that pleased the Lord. By now, Billie’s faith has been made sight. I rejoice for her and pray God’s comfort for her/our family.
God blessed so many when he created Billie Jo with her loving , dynamic qualities. After marrying into the McWhorter family to her mothers sisters son , F. Wayne , we were blessed with three children Heidy , Cash & Cara . We enjoyed several Thanksgivings together in Oklahoma with all her sisters & faniles , which I treasure to thi day. Billie had a wonderful personality and charming accent and it was easy to see why she was so successful in all her life endeavors and especially as a top realtor . Her love for husband JD, son Kenny , Missy , grandchildren
and Jesus was at the highest level . I thank the Lord for her friendship , wonderful talks , personal visits ,empathy, and the life examples she left to inspire us all! I can see your beautiful ,charming smile when Jesus met you at the gate , Billie Jo , and said , “ Come in my good and faithful servant!”