BILLIE M. McHUGH

Billie Mestayer McHugh, born to Lavinia Champagne and Joseph L. Mestayer, grew her Angel wings and passed to glory on August 30, 2021 after a lengthy illness at the age of 78 in her home with her family where she wanted to be.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Valcourt and Alida Champagne of New Iberia, Ruby Champagne, Jim Champagne, Lou Thomas, Outhwaite Champagne, Willa Delhomme, Harold Champagne, Henry Champagne, Lucille Dugas, Andrew Champagne, Thelma Breaux and Edwin Champagne. Her parents, Lavinia and Pete Fairley also predeceased her.
Billie is survived by her husband, Robert C. “Bob” McHugh; three children, Charlotte McHugh, Bryan McHugh and Kathryn McHugh; six grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Billie was born to Lavinia and Joseph Mestayer in Las Cruces, New Mexico on Feb. 27, 1943, where her father was training to be an Anny Air Force pilot.
In January 1944, her father’s flying fortress was shot down on a bombing run towards Italy and all crew members perished in the ocean. Her mother, Lavinia, married Peter M. Fairley of Moss Point, Mississippi, after the war.
In the early years, Billie attended Live Oak Elementary where her mother was a teacher. Later on she became a Catholic and attended Mount Carmel Academy for girls and was an excellent student. Billie would attend her Catholic services and then come to the First Methodist Church in New Iberia to sit in on Sunday School services where her mother and stepdad were teachers.
Both Billie and Bob were about 14 years old and swapping glances at each other on a regular basis. That First Methodist Church is where they became soulmates and on August 8, 1964 we were married there. Much later she confessed that she had “chosen” me during those Sunday School classes. That’s why we called ourselves “soulmates” and after 57 years of marriage, still loved each other.
Billie attended USL where she majored in home economics and her strong point was cooking but her Nannie Ruby taught her as a young girl how to make little items of sewing. She eventually became an expert in making her children’s clothes, alterations, baby bonnets, christening gowns, wedding dresses and her passion for quilting. She made several “quilts of valor” for some vets. She hand designed all of her productions for “Queen Bee Creations”.
“Miss Billie” will certainly be sorely missed for a long time by her relatives, friends and family.
At her request, Hargrave Funeral Home is handling the cremation. Family and friends are welcome to attend funeral home services at a later date.