Billie June Handly
May 23, 1946 - May 28, 2022

Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home 943 Highway 425 North Monticello, AR 71655 Map & Directions Graveside visitation Springhill-Handly Cemetery 499 Plantersville Rd Monticello ,  AR 71655 6/1/2022 at 10:00 a.m. Map & Directions Graveside Services Springhill-Handly Cemetery 499 Plantersville Rd Monticello ,  AR 71655 6/1/2022 at 10:30 a.m. Map & Directions   Springhill-Handly Cemetery 499 Plantersville Rd Monticello, AR 71655 Map & Directions

Billie June Hampton Handly, age 76 of Monticello, passed away at home May 28, 2022. She was born May 23, 1946 in Hot Springs Arkansas to William H. ‘Bill’ Hampton & Rose Noles Hampton. Billie was a graduate of Wilmar High School and after pausing her college education to raise two girls, she resumed her classes and graduated UAM in 1985 and went on to achieve her Masters Degree. She taught American History at Lake Village, Dumas, and Star City High Schools respectively from 1986 until her retirement from Star City in 2011. She treasured her students and lovingly called them ‘her kids’ and wanted each one to succeed and have happy lives. Some of her former students had a loving hand in her healthcare during the last three years. She was always so proud when they realized who she was and thanked her for always believing in them. Billie was named Arkansas Teacher of the Year by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History in 2008. She was the recipient of many teaching awards, state and national as well as numerous published works. She always said ‘her kids’ were the reason she enjoyed her teaching so much.
Billie loved spending time with her family, who meant the world to her. She enjoyed a good read, watching old movies and British TV shows. She was crafty and talented, loved to sew and crochet and she was a beautiful piano player. She loved flowers, so Jamie and Jordan always made sure she had beautiful flowers to look at out her window, in her room.
Billie was proceeded in death by her parents, her husband James Shelly Handly, and nephew Michael Hampton.
Left to cherish her many wonderful memories are her daughters, Stacy Scogin Spears (William) and Jamie Handly Branch of Monticello; brothers Richard ‘Ricky’ Hampton (Leeann) of Texarkana, AR and Mike Hampton (Becky) of Brandon MS; Her grandchildren Joy A. Gamewell, Catie B. Wilkerson, James Tristan Foreman, Jordan L. Branch, and a great-granddaughter Lily R. Gamewell all of Monticello. Nieces Beth and Rebecca of Oregon, nephews Allen Hampton (Bridgett) and Mitch Hampton of Stamps AR, Doug Hampton (Brandy) of Iowa; Special bonus grands, Sierra Everett and Joe Dickey; Bonus great-grands Kori, Carter & Aiden; Her special friends and fishing buddies Bessie Hampton & Nadine Connard.
The family would like to thank Hospice Home Care for their extraordinary care and compassion.
Graveside service will be Wednesday, June 1 at the Handly Cemetery, 499 Plantersville Road, Monticello.