Billie Lorraine Shaffner Brown passed away early Tuesday morning, January 27, 2026, at Nacogdoches Medical Center in Nacogdoches, Texas.

Billie was born in Houston, Texas, to Billie Jo Stephens and Eugene Howard Shaffner. She spent her childhood and early adult years in Houston, where she worked as a hairdresser and proudly worked alongside her mother in the catering business.

In later years, Billie made her home in East Texas on Lake Sam Rayburn, a place she truly loved. She enjoyed fishing, being out on the water, and soaking in the peace of lake life. A fantastic cook, Billie was especially known for her baking—most memorably her cherished Christmas cookies, turkey and dressing, and her amazing gumbo.

Billie was a beautiful, soulful woman who loved music and dancing. She was also a self-taught artist with an extraordinary creative spirit. She had an amazing ability to draw and add bold color to a blank canvas, transforming it into something that carried deep feeling and beauty. Billie taught herself how to knit and crochet, had a keen eye for detail, and possessed a true gift for photography. Through her lens, she captured images
that could literally take your breath away.

She took great pride in her appearance and had an impressive makeup collection she delighted in sharing with her granddaughters during visits. This love of beauty and self-expression was a trait she proudly passed down to her daughters and granddaughters. She also had a small collection of guns and enjoyed conversations about them with her grandsons, who thought it was especially cool.

Billie is preceded in death by her mother, Billie Jo Stephens; her father, Eugene Howard Shaffner; her grandmother, Ruby Pearl Brock; her grandfather, Elmer Elisha Brock; and her precious grandson, Sebastian Michael Sample.

Children and Grandchildren:
Bobby Hamilton and wife Dawn
- Ryan Hamilton
- Jacob Hamilton and wife Hannah
- Megan Tippit and husband Cody
- Zachary Hamilton and partner Savanna
- Danielle Prather and husband Jonathan Prather
Danny Hamilton
- Kaelynn Gozony
Anita Turnbow and husband Jeff
- Chealsea Largent and fiancé Josh
- Jordan Turnbow and wife Taylor
- Hannah Turnbow and fiancé Steven
Tracie Hamilton and partner Jason
- Sebastian Michael Sample (deceased)
- Amanda Veile and husband William
- Mikala Derr and husband Dalton
Great-Grandchildren: 14
Siblings: Tresa Ober, Pam Matlock, Nita Judge, Pat Shaffner, and Ray Shaffner

Graveside Service will be conducted Monday, February 9, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. in the Bristol Cemetery, 400 Union Hill Rd., Ennis, Texas 7511, under the direction of J. E. Keever Mortuary, Inc. Pallbearers: Sebastian Sample (deceased) Bobby Hamilton, Danny Hamilton, Jeff Turnbow, Jordan Turnbow, Jacob Hamilton, Zachary Hamilton.

Submitted by family