Bessie Hemmes

11/15/1927 - 02/19/2025

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our cherished Billie Jo. She left us at the young age of 97. She was the widow of Frank (Jerry) Hemmes. She passed away at her residence on February 19, 2025.

Bessie Mae Willoughby, but known to most as Billie Jo, was born in Winchester, Kentucky in 1927. She was the daughter of the late Ora Lee and Nellie Mae Branham Willoughby. 

She was a retired nurse and had been a songwriter, country singer, hillbilly, and rockabilly. She loved to recall her days as a background singer and country yodeler in the 1940's through the 60s. She cherished her family and was proud of her deep country roots, and her Native American and Italian heritage. 

Billie Jo is survived by her daughter; grandson, Austin; grandaughter-in-law, Harley; and a soon-to-be great-grandbaby, Brody. 

 She came from a family of 12 brothers and sisters, she was the third child. She was preceded in death by sisters, Elizabeth, Betty, Judy, Shirley, and Patricia; brothers, George, Billy, and Roy. 

She has three surviving brothers, Dickie (Jesse), James, and Sherman.

She will now be joining her beloved husband, Jerry Hemmes in the hereafter. Billie Jo was not just a mother, grandmother, soon-to-be great-grandmother; she was also a sister, aunt, second mom to many, and a treasured friend. She proclaimed herself to be the grandmother, aka "Grandma B" of her entire neighborhood. She would often talk to children as they got off the school bus in the afternoon. 

There was never a dull moment with Billie Jo, she continuously brought excitement and entertainment to our lives until the very end. We will remember her for her unwavering love of music, which danced through her heart until her last breath. 

In the months preceding her final days, she was thrilled to find out she was going to be a great-grandmother. 

Understanding her aversion to traditional funerals, we have decided to celebrate her remarkable life instead. 

We will share details of a Celebration of Life with family and friends in the near future. 

Cremation was chosen and Magnolia Cremations of Jeffersonville, Indiana, has been entrusted with the arrangements.