Billie Joyce Watson died Wednesday, June 30, 2010, at River Region Medical Center. She was 79.

Mrs. Watson was born in Forest, La. She graduated from Newellton High School in 1948 and attended business school in Shreveport. She was married to Bennett Cushman Watson for over 57 years. They made their home in Baton Rouge, where she retired as executive secretary to the Louisiana State Police commander. She also served as a commissioner for the State of Louisiana Liquefied Petroleum Gas Commission. She was a member of Jefferson United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge, where she served her Lord and Savior faithfully for 37 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clyde and Wilma Lee of Newellton.

Survivors include her husband, Bennett Cushman Watson; two stepsons, Ben Watson and wife, Bobbye of Flower Mound, Texas, and Chester Watson and wife, Shirley of Port Collins, Colo.; four stepgrandchildren, Glenn, Gary, Cinamon and Clay Watson; nine stepgreat-grandchildren, Savannah, Avery, Blake, Molly, Sean, Owen, Collin, Rainey and Caroline Watson; one brother, Bobby Joe Lee and wife, Bobbye Anne of Tallulah; two sisters, Tommie Jean Leake and husband Sam of Newellton and Sheryl Gaye Kifer and husband, Dan of Carthage, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be at 3 p.m. Friday at Crothers-Glenwood Funeral Home in Tallulah with the Rev. Larry Foster officiating. Burial will follow at the Legion Cemetery in Newellton under the direction of the funeral home. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. Friday until the service.

Pallbearers will be Benny Lee, Blaine Lee, Billy Clyde Lee, Nathan Lee, Curt Leake and Trey Leake.