Betty Jane Gomilla

Betty Jane Gillespie Gomilla was born February 14,1936 in Center, TX. to Ralph and Maggie Gillespie. She entered into eternal rest in Homer, LA. on June 30, 2026, at the age of 90.

There will be a Memorial Service Saturday July 25, 2026, at Cornerstone Church, 501 W 3rd St., Homer, LA. Visitation will be from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, with the Memorial starting at 2:00 PM, with Rev. Fred Wideman and Rev. Brian Faust officiating. Betty has donated her remains to the LSU Medical School. There will be an internment in Huntington, TX., with her Mother and Father at a later date.

Betty was preceded in death by her Parents, Ralph and Maggie Gillespie; late husband’s, John K. Fratus in July 1996, and James F. Gomilla in February 2024; her siblings, R.L. Gillespie, and Irene Gillespie Jones; her nephews, Tommy Gillespie, and Wayne Gillespie.

Betty is survived by her sons; Michael Lindsey (Barbara) of Haynesville and Anthony Lindsey of Homer; and stepdaughter, Rebecca Gomilla Beck (Randy) of Homer; Grandchildren, Elizabeth Lindsey Rank (Jared) of Kalispell, Montana, Jessica Lindsey Guevara (Michael) of Little Elm, TX., Coddie Lindsey Merritt (Mikel) of Homer, Brandon Beck of Dubach, and Paige Beck of Homer; Great Grandchildren, Tasiana, Tano, Madison, Raylan, Preslie and Wade, and many nieces and nephews.

Betty was raised in the rural Texas communities of Arcadia, Ora, Huntington, and Etoile. Times were hard, by the age of 12 she was driving a truck delivering ice, groceries and feed for the family business. By age16 she was traveling to the Eastern states with her friends.

As an adult she settled down and worked mostly in accounting positions. Betty was a beautiful woman and loved cosmetology, which led to her career with Merle Norman Cosmetics in which she simultaneously owned and operated three studios in Homer, Bossier City, and Springhill. She especially loved working with young girls, teaching the proper / best use of the products to highlight their personal beauty.

Betty was active in the community, a member of the Chamber of Commerce (serving in various capacities), The Eastern Star (serving in various offices including Worthy Matron), Women’s Department Club (again serving in various offices including President). For a time, she also volunteered at the VA Hospital in Shreveport to serve our Veteran Community.

Betty loved the Methodist Church and her church family. She sang in the Choir, Studied in a challenging Discipleship Class, taught the Gleaners Sunday School Class (Sr. Adult), and traveled to multiple Caribbean Islands to help build Methodist Missions. The Mission Trips were a great joy in her life.

After retirement she took courses in horticulture and spent many hours landscaping and working in the garden and flower beds.

Betty loved to travel she saw the majority of our great United States, made several trips to Europe and two trips to Israel, where she was baptized in the River Jordan by Brother Fred Wideman.

Betty enjoyed life! Despite her beauty, she was a tomboy at heart. She spent many hours with her father and friends fishing or frogging on the Angelina River. When we were growing up, many of our family vacations were spent camping on a country pond, creek or river. Mom was an excellent marksman - from a boat at night, with just a head lamp, she could shoot a frog with fathers 22 rifle. Mother also loved to play Bridge and she was good at it.

Betty donated to most any Children’s Foundation, and for many years, she was a monthly donor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The Family would like to express our heart felt appreciation and gratitude to The Arbor and Terrace in Ruston, Dr. Salmon for many years of care, ALL the staff of Presbyterian Village, and ALL the staff of Passages Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, you may opt to make donations to the Cornerstone Church of Homer, LA, the Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home (LUMCFS) in Ruston, LA, or any charity of your choice.

Rose-Neath Funeral Home

Homer Chapel (318) 927-6110