Joanne Bouchillon

1931 - 2025

One of the great souls to ever traverse these parts has laid down her mantle and taken on her robe and crown. Joanne Estes Bouchillon died on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 at her son and daughter-in-law's home after a few months of declining health. She was 93 years old. Born to pioneer South Lee County families, John Kennedy Estes and Annie Laurie Harris Estes on May 6, 1931, she was the only daughter born to this union of five sons. She was always admired and loved by her brothers and enjoyed a tough but perfect childhood on the Estes farm near Plantersville. Joanne graduated from Plantersville High School in 1948 and attended Itawamba Junior College in its maiden class. She married James Levert "Bo" Bouchillon, an East Tupelo man on Feb. 26, 1955, and to this union were born three sons, Jamey, Joey and Jon. Joanne possessed solid values learned from her parents and other forebears and applied them to the whole of her life to purpose-filled living. Possessed with a deep spiritual strength, she literally was a Proverbs 31 woman. She took literally the admonition to love the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself. In addition to being a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother, Joanne was an encourager and "teacher" of sorts of parents and students through her 29-plus year association with the World Book Encyclopedia Company as a master salesperson. She had an uncanny ability to educate young parents about the importance of not only formal learning but studying at home using the resources provided by World Books. Always jolly and possessed with a witty and steely sense of humor, Joanne was a beautiful woman in stature with her perfectly set silver hair and her insatiable smile and was universally loved by her family and countless friends. A devoted Christian lady, she was a member of the First Baptist Church-Plantersville most of her life where she committed innumerable hours to the ministries of the Church, from Sunday school teacher, Vacation Bible School leader, a central figure in the Ladies group and a strong helping hand in kitchen responsibilities because of her fabulous cooking skills, Joanne was a "rock" in the Church. She was an avid fisherwoman, cook, loved reading, and was a Memphis Grizzlies fan. Her enduring legacy will be that of a strong, independent woman who survived the perils of life with grace, poise and dignity. She endured the deaths of her parents, all her brothers, her husband, two sons and countless close friends, but never lost sight of the promises of her faith, which she realizes eternally today. Everyone thanks God for her long earthly pilgrimage!

A service celebrating her grand life will be held at 2 PM Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025 from the Sadie Holland Memorial Chapel at Holland Funeral Directors in Tupelo with her friends, Steve Holland and Thomas Craft speaking. She will be laid to rest in the Bouchillon/Estes family plot in Plantersville Cemetery. Visitation will begin at Noon Sunday at the funeral home and continue until the service. For those unable to attend, the service may be viewed at hollandfuneraldirectors.com/live-streaming at 2 PM Sunday, and will be archived thereafter.

Joanne is survived by her son, Jamey and his wife, Liz Wuichet Bouchillon of Plantersville; her granddaughter, Lindsey Lee (Kevin); great-grandson, Walker Lee; a sister-in-law, Mary Whitehead Estes of Plantersville, and her brother-in-law, Earl and Eugenia Polk Bouchillon; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and their families and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, J.K. and Annie Laurie Estes; her husband, Bo Bouchillon; two sons, Joey and Jon Bouchillon; and her brothers, David Estes, Harris Estes, Lawrence Estes, T.K. Estes, and an infant brother, Harold.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, P. O. Box 487, Plantersville, MS 38862. Holland Funeral Directors is honored to serve their close friends and neighbors.