"Such a lovely person. I always loved her voice. I have a daisy picture that she painted for me that can be viewed either horizontal or vertical. My mom and dad were such good friends of Jeannine and John. --Jean (Singer) Kilker"
In loving memory of
Billie Jeannine (Johnston) Sakata
April 15, 1930 - May 4, 2022
Billie Jeannine (Johnston) Sakata, 92, passed away on May 4, 2022 in Surprise, Arizona. Born in Lake City, Arkansas, she was the daughter of Elvis and Cleva (Spann) Johnston.
While attending Vanndale High School in Arkansas, Jeannine was a member of the women's basketball team and participated in a school play. After graduating in 1949, she moved to California with her family then later settled permanently on her own in Phoenix, Arizona. She was employed at J.A. Wood Company in 1968 as a bookkeeper when she met her husband, John Sakata, with whom she shared 44 years of marriage.
She cherished her cats and dogs, was an avid reader, a hobby artist, and was passionate about interior decorating. Jeannine spent many hours perusing antique stores for collectibles and enjoyed helping others decorate their homes. During the sweltering Phoenix summers, she spent time with family, friends, and her cats and dogs at her home in Prescott. She loved sitting on the porch in the cool,
breezy air chatting with neighbors and giving their dogs treats as they walked by.
Jeannine is survived by her daughter, Brenda Dhooge and husband, D.J. of Surprise, Arizona; brother, Skip Phillips of Las Vegas, Nevada; and many loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister Carolyn (Phillips) French of Pomona, California; and husband John Sakata of Phoenix, Arizona.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to the Arizona Humane Society.