Mrs. Billie Jo Mommsen Gardner

Billie Jo Mommsen Gardner, 89, passed away peacefully and surrounded by her family at her DeWitt home on November 13, 2025. Billie Jo was born on February 20, 1936 to Bill and Josephine Mommsen of Almyra. Billie Jo was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Paul Ragan Gardner, her parents, her brother Johnny Mommsen and her beloved dog Lulu. Billie Jo leaves behind daughters Debbie (Jeff) Roper of Plumerville, Diane (Jeff) Hornbeck of Big Flat, Rhonda (Steve) Harris of DeWitt, Paula Snyder (Scott Leibrock) of DeWitt and Kristi (Sam) Jenkins of Earle. Grandchildren Scott (Jessica) Roper of Maumelle, Jake (Brittany) Roper of Plumerville, Tyler Hopkins (Hannah Turner) of Dewitt, Taylor Hopkins (Jennifer) of Grant, TN, Jessica Harris (Blake Wyatt) of DeWitt, Bradlee Harris (Samantha Keaton) of DeWitt, Jace Harris of DeWitt, Derek Harris of DeWitt, Ragan (Britt) Harris of Kennett, MO, Kanton Gardner of Jonesboro, Kaitlyn (Taelor) Clark of Hamburg Great Grandchildren, Adeline and Luke Roper of Maumelle, Hudson Paul and Darcy Jo Roper of Plumerville, Bennett Hopkins of DeWitt, Chelsey and Bryce Vinsett and Blake Stalter of DeWitt, Madison Harris of Jonesboro, AR, Henry Paul Harris of Kennett, MO and Kayne Oglesby of Hamburg and Booger the wonder dog. Billie Jo was a lifelong Lutheran worshiping at Saint Luke Lutheran in DeWitt where for many years, she was the keeper of the secret spaghetti sauce recipe used at the annual Spaghetti Supper. She worked for many years for Doctor Hestir and Doctor Burleson. Her greatest career was being a Mom to five daughters and she thoroughly enjoyed the chaos from raising that many girls. She was a homemaker, 4-H Leader, Brownie Leader, she spent many hours volunteering with the Arkansas County Fair Association, and just as many hours working the concession stand for the DeWitt Dragons basketball and football games. Billie Jo loved working in her garden, canning, baking, and making the best divinity and selling her vegetables and baked and canned goods at the DeWitt Farmers Market. Visitation will be Monday, November 17 from 5-6:30 pm at Essex Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 10:00 November 18 at St. Luke Lutheran Church with burial in Crocketts Bluff Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Saint Luke’s Lutheran Church, 903 E 2nd St, DeWitt, AR 72042.

Mrs. Billie Jo Mommsen Gardner

February 20, 1936 - November 13, 2025