Billie Jeanne Scroggin

Billie Jeanne Blackshare Scroggin, 92, of Morrilton, Arkansas, passed away Monday, February 23, 2015, in Bella Vista, Arkansas. She was born in Piggott to Cecil Earl Blackshire and Otilla Embry Blackshire on January 3, 1923. She was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church of Morrilton and attended Bible Study Fellowship. She was an accomplished seamstress and quilter, astute businesswoman, skilled bridge player, occasional golfer, birdwatcher, traveler, and loyal friend to many. Billie Jeanne's family moved to Morrilton when she was five years old so she and her sister Bettye could attend Harding Academy. After the academy and Harding College relocated, the family stayed in Morrilton. Billie Jeanne graduated from Morrilton High School in 1939 and later attended Arkansas State Teachers College in Conway. She opened The Fabric Center in downtown Morrilton in 1961 and successfully operated it for several years before eventually running a real estate business with her husband John Henry Scroggin. Billie Jeanne and John Henry often hosted friends and family at their home in Morrilton and cabin on Greer's Ferry Lake, creating countless memories of fishing trips, cookouts, water skiing, holidays, festive meals, and other happy times together. She was always quick to write a letter at just the right time or drive halfway across the country to visit a friend. Her wit, poise, and unconditional love will be missed. Billie Jeanne was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John Henry; and three half-sisters, Mary Jim Jones, Beryl Newman Murray, and Earlene Swearengen. Survivors include her sister, Bettye Blackshire Fowler and husband Marvin of West Plains, Missouri; her three children, Phyllis McKuin and husband Barry of Morrilton, John Jeffrey Scroggin and wife Kem, of Longview, Texas, and William Earl Scroggin and wife Cathy, of Bella Vista; grandchildren, Kimberly Scroggin Didier and husband Randy, John McKuin, Laura McKuin Puryear and husband Jason, Jeff Scroggin and wife Claire, Alexa Scroggin Clay, Sara Scroggin Ivy, Kathryn Scroggin Sampson and husband Chance, and Timothy McKuin and wife Vanessa; fifteen great-grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren; and nephews Richard and Rex Fowler, and niece Robin Fowler Mauer. Visitation will be on Friday, February 27, from 2-4 p.m. at Harris Funeral Home in Morrilton. The Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, February 28, 2015 at the Morrilton First United Methodist Church. Memorials may be made to the church at 201 S. Chestnut St., Morrilton or to the Elmwood Cemetery (Morrilton Cemetery Improvement Assn.) at P.O. Box 561, Morrilton. Arrangements are by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton. Online guestbook: www.harrisfuneralhomes.net.