Obituary

Billie Sue Wheat Alford

August 31, 1934 - June 11, 2026

Billie Sue Wheat Alford was born in Bogalusa, LA on August 31, 1934 and passed away in Mandeville, LA on June 11, 2026 at the age of 91.

Billie Sue is survived by her son Michael H. (Dianne) Applewhite; two sisters Maxine Wheat Foreman, and Lisa Wheat (Anthony) Thigpen; a brother Kenneth D. Wheat; two great grandchildren Drew Sandifer (Joley Fortenberry), and McKayla Sandifer (Jordan) Phelps; four great-great granddaughters; numerous nieces and nephews that she loved and treated as her own grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Billie Warren Alford; her parents Pearlie “Bill” Wheat and Nezzie Graham Wheat and a granddaughter Kisha Kennedy Reeves.

Billie Sue worked for the Louisiana Office of Employment Security for over 30 years.  After retirement she took woodworking classes at Sullivan Vocational School and built a wood working shop and became a master craftsman, building furniture and cabinetry.

She had a very active social life.  She was a member of the Bogalusa Civic League, the Southeast Garden Clippers, a founding member of the Krewe of Mars Mardis Club and a tireless volunteer for Christmas in the Park from its beginning until it ended.  She also served on the Executive Board of the Washington Parish Fair Association and served as the Chairman of the Catalog Committee and spent many hours working in the Flower House.  She was named Fair Honor Roll Star in 2013.

Billie Sue had a wonderful group of friends she played Dominos with and made an annual trip to the beach with for over 30 years.  After their retirement, they traveled to Europe and across the United States.

Billie Sue was a member of Mt Pleasant Baptist Church and attended regularly until her health began to decline.

The family would like to thank her care giver, Brenda Harvel, for the kind and loving care she gave over the last few years, as well as Anvoi Hospice, and Fidelis Personal Care Home.  

She will be missed by many family and friends, but we know that she is happy in the arms of Jesus.

Visitation will be held at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home on Friday, June 19, 2026, from 9:00a.m. until the funeral service time of 12:00noon.  Rev. Eric Williams and Rev. Cody McMasters will officiate the service and interment will be held at Hillview Memorial Gardens.