Billie Jo-Anne McLaughlin Cole

BENTON – Billie Jo-Anne McLaughlin Cole, 70, of Benton, passed away peacefully on Sept. 12, 2025, after a lifelong battle with Type 1 Diabetes.

Born on Jan. 18, 1955, in Gardiner, Billie was the daughter of Ann C. McLaughlin Nelson Greenleaf and Earl McLaughlin, and stepdaughter of Don Nelson. She grew up in Gardiner and Benton, enjoying the outdoors, horseback riding, and caring for her father’s racehorses.

Billie married her high school sweetheart, G. Leonard “Lenny” Cole, on Oct. 14, 1972, and shared 52 years together. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.

She founded Pines Road Nursery School and Daycare, running it for nearly 40 years. “Miss Billie” nurtured countless children, teaching kindness, honesty, and courage, always guided by the school’s motto: “Learn, laugh, and play – but most of all, be kind to one another.”

She is survived by her husband, Lenny; sons Lenny (Michelle) and Billy (Heather); grandchildren, Parker, Payton, Liam, and Avery; siblings Steve, Sherry, Susan (Jim), Peter (Barbie), Mike (Pam), and Mary (Mike); and many nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends.

A celebration of her life will be held later.

In lieu of flowers, her wish was for loved ones to hug each other tightly and express their love.