Billie Rae Grayson Vercher

A Mass of Christian Burial for Mrs. Billie Rae Grayson Vercher will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Natchitoches, La with Rev. Scott Chemino, Rev. Louis Sklar, Rev. Blake Deshautelle, and Rev. Derek Ducote concelebrating. Burial will follow in Memory Lawn Cemetery in Natchitoches, La. Visitation will be Monday, February 7, 2022 from 5 PM until 7 PM with a recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7 PM at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home. Billie, 90 years of age, of Natchitoches, La. died peacefully in her home on Monday, February 1, 2022. She was born on May 30, 1931, to Ollie Overton Grayson and Angela Gillen Grayson. She was a devout catholic and faithful member of The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church where she served as a Lector and was a member of the church choir. She was a member of the Natchitoches Court #1372 Regina Pacis of the Catholic Daughters of America. Before her death, Billie was the longest tenured member with 71 years of service. One of her proudest moments was being chosen to crown the Blessed Virgin Mary statue during the May Procession in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church during her senior year in high school at St. Mary’s Catholic School. It instilled in her a lifelong devotion to the Mother of Jesus. Billie devoted her life to taking care of her family and cherished spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her passion was reading and sewing. She worked at City Bank & Trust Co. until her retirement in 1995. After her retirement she was employed by Choate’s Interiors and Gifts as bookkeeper. She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Nick “Hoss” Vercher, Jr.; her parents; her sisters Betty Grayson Jones and Judy Grayson Broadwater; her brother George Grayson; her brother-in-law Walter “Dub” Jones, Sr.; a nephew Larry “Rock” Broadwater, Jr.; and one great-grandchild, Autumn Allard. She is survived by her brother, John O. Grayson; her two daughters, Debbie Vercher Ralston and her husband Bruce; Mary Vercher Ralston and her husband Bob; her four sons Ronnie Vercher, Tommy Vercher and his wife Lisa; Donnie Vercher and his wife Kayron; John Vercher and his wife Amy; her two sisters-in-law Merry Jo O’Quinn Grayson and Ruby LaCaze Grayson; and her brother-in-law Larry Broadwater, Sr. She is also survived by her twelve grandchildren Garrick Vercher and his wife Melissa; Amie Vercher Zsimovan and her husband Justin; Susie Vercher Turner and her husband Garrett; Jessica Vercher Garcia and her husband Chris; Erin Ralston Owens and her husband Ryan; Lauren Ralston; Tyler Ralston and his fiance’ Brooke Smith; John Jordan “JJ” Vercher; Naomi “Sister” Vercher; Stephen Allard, Stephanie Allard; and Staci Cotton and her husband J.P. Eighteen great-grandchildren Holden and Charlotte Vercher; Daniel and Morgan Garcia; Zeke, Zeb, Zack and Suzy Mae Zsimovan; Beau and Ben Turner; Lilliana and Lorelei Owens; Dylan Richardson, Caleb Richardson, Summer Richardson and Radlee Turner; and Levi and Jack Cotton, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Garrick Vercher, Tyler Ralston, John Jordan “JJ” Vercher, Justin Zsimovan, Garrett Turner, Chris Garcia, Ryan Owens and Daniel Garcia. Honorary pallbearers are John Grayson, Larry Broadwater, Walter “Dub” Jones, Jr. and L.E. Sklar, Jr. The family extends their deep and heartfelt gratitude to the nurses and staff of Hospice of Natchitoches; Sue Sparish, Estelle Casson and Jessie Benjamin for their love and compassionate care for our mother. Most of all they would like to thank a very special grandchild, Lauren Ralston, who lived and cared for their mother for the past 9 years. They will be forever grateful for her. Billie was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt who will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her. We will forever love you Mom. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association or to The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.