Billie Johnson Hoyt

Billie Oice (Johnson) Hoyt, 96, of San Augustine, TX, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.  She was born in Center, Texas on July 12, 1927, to Lena Anthony Johnson and Edward Phillip Johnson.  She graduated from Center High School in 1944, and then attended Stephen F. Austin Teachers College, where she was a member of the women’s basketball and track teams (competing as a pole vaulter).  Billie went on to marry John M. Hoyt in 1946, and together they would move all around the state while he pursued a long career in law enforcement.  Over the years she resided in: Center, Houston, Longview, Beaumont, Tyler, and Wichita Falls- before finally moving to San Augustine in 1964.  And while Billie enjoyed traveling- those piney woods of East Texas were embedded deep in her soul, and she was never more content than when she was amongst the tall pines (just a stones throw from the place of her birth).

Ms. Billie, or “Granny”, (as she was affectionately known for much of her life), was goodness personified!  And while she was small in stature, she never was one to back down from a challenge or hesitate to face adversity head on.   Billie truly was a strong and resilient woman, and this was evident not only by the long life she lived- but also the trials she faced without fear or complaint.  She lived through the Great Depression, lost her first love in WW2, buried both of her parents as well as her brother, and then lost her husband, John, in 1993. And while Billie outlived so many of the people she cherished, she somehow managed to keep plenty of love and joy in her heart for those of us still lucky enough to be in her orbit.  Her doors were always open, and food was always at the ready. Granny could whip up the best country cooking you’ve ever tasted, and make it look effortless.  You could just about be guaranteed to smell something wonderful coming from the kitchen every time you walked into her home.  (And if there wasn’t something already in the works, rest assured she would immediately get to cooking something delicious for everyone to enjoy. She couldn’t help herself!)  She was someone who showed her love to others through acts of service, (particularly through the food she prepared for her family and friends).  And we sure relished any opportunity to enjoy the fruits of her culinary labor!

Billie loved her family dearly, and she doted on her two boys; Wesley & John Jr.  I don’t think it’d be a stretch to say that so much of the goodness in them came directly from her influences.  She did most of the child-rearing on her own, and she handled the task with determination, grace, love, and lots of patience.  She was the one teaching them to throw a football in the yard.  And the one playing catch with them, and hauling them to their various games/activities.  She loved them with all of her being, and she raised them right.  She was exceedingly proud of both Wesley & John Jr., and the men they are today are true testaments to the values and love she poured into them.  Her devotion to her family unit was truly admirable, as she always did what needed to be done to support them.  She treasured her time staying at home with the boys, but once they got a little older (and needed less supervision), she went to work for the Texas Department of Transportation, (where she stayed for 24 years, before retiring in 1993).

Billie cherished her grandchildren, and spoke of them often and affectionately. If she wasn’t cooking for them, she was sitting on the floor playing games like “Skip-Bo”, “UNO”, and “Sorry” with them.  And if she wasn’t playing games, she was reading to them, writing letters to them, playing soccer out in the yard, or teaching them how to hunt and fish, etc. etc.  Granny loved the outdoors, and honestly was a modern version of “Annie Oakley”.  She could trap, hunt, and catch just about anything- and even had a streak of shooting a buck on opening day for five years in a row!  Nothing ever went to waste after a hunt though, as she’d always be happy to share the spoils of her efforts amongst her friends and family.  And while she was an avid huntress, she somehow had a soft spot for animals at the same time.  (Especially small dogs!)  In her later years, her home was a revolving door for various family pets.  She was always content to be curled up in her favorite recliner with a four legged friend in her lap.  (Usually watching “Wheel of Fortune” or “Jeopardy!” and doing her darndest to solve all the puzzles and formulate the correct response in the form of questions).

Ms. Billie was a devoted member of the First Baptist Church of San Augustine, as her faith was extremely important to her.  Like her mother, she was also an active member of the Order of the Eastern Star.  Billie served in various leadership roles during the 55+ years she was a member, and she treasured sharing that sisterhood with so many of her special friends.

Billie is survived by her sons: Wesley (Donna) Hoyt, of Huntington, TX, and John (Dana) Hoyt, of Waco, TX. Her grandchildren: Misty Hoyt Marek, Jody Goodwin, Emily Hoyt Crew, Matthew Hoyt, John Wesley Hoyt, Eric Hoyt, Jacob Hoyt, and 9 great-grandchildren.  She is also survived by her nieces: Linda Winder, Karen Bittick, and Angela Lawson.  As well as her nephew, Royce Lynn Johnson

She is preceded in death by her parents: Lena & Edward Johnson, her husband; John M. Hoyt, her brother; Royce Johnson, and daughter-in-law; Nancy Hoyt.

Granny was our family’s cornerstone, and she will be eternally missed.  We are thankful for lessons she taught us, the fun she shared with us, and the love she so willingly gave us- and we will forever cherish the memories we made with her. 

Visitation will be held at Wyman Roberts Funeral Home, from 12:00 -1:00 on Thursday, May 9th- with a graveside service to follow at Mt. Herman Cemetery, Shelby County, Texas, with Bro. Jim Moss officiating. 

In lieu of flowers or donations, please spend some time cooking or baking something special for the people you love most.  

Pallbearers for the service are: Jonathan Bates, Mike Byley, Jody Goodwin, Jacob Hoyt, Shelby Johnson, and Chad Elumbaugh.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Billie Johnson Hoyt, please visit our floral store.