Lillian Booth

Lillian Irene Booth, age 97, a resident of Baton Rouge, passed away on Friday, November 18, 2022, into the loving arms of our Lord Jesus Christ.

She was born in the middle of the Great Depression and was raised on a farm by her parents with three brothers and two sisters. Like all her brothers and even some of her female relatives, she chose to serve her country in the military. She joined the US Army Nurse Corp and served in Korea during the war until her brothers (all of whom were also serving in Korea) found out and reported her to her commanding officer, who was apparently unhappy to learn of this news.  That caused a quick transfer to a US Army Hospital in Tokyo where she provided care to survivors of the nuclear bombs which ended World War II. For her military service she was awarded the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, and an Overseas Bar.

After an honorable discharge she volunteered to serve at a hospital which was treating polio victims, as polio was raging and causing much fear in the world at the time.  A later transfer to a Veterans Hospital in Louisiana brought her back home. One of her sisters was married to a State Trooper who introduced her to a fellow Trooper and her future husband, Billy Joe Booth. They married in 1954 and lived happily together until Billy Joe Booth passed away in 2003. Of this union were born Joseph Booth and Susan Marie Booth.

Lillian was a faithful member of several area Baptist Churches and was active in attending and teaching Sunday School and other Christian ministries. She enjoyed her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and was active in their raising. In the meantime, she went back to work as a counselor and leader at the Tau Center and helped many overcome various addictions.

Lillian is survived by her son Joseph Booth and wife Ann, daughter Susan Caston; grandchildren Kristin Scroggins and husband Jacob Scroggins, Holly McAlister and her husband Robert McAlister, Rebekah Booth, and Bill Acosta and his wife Ashton Acosta; great grandchildren Alyssa and Ava Scroggins; Fiona, John, and Julianne McAlister; and Estella and Adeline Acosta.

She was preceded in death by her husband Billy Joe Booth; her parents: John Bruce and Cecilia Thompson; and her siblings: John Thompson, Pete Thompson, Jay Tompson, Ruth McCook, and Lucille Berthelot.

Visitation will take place at Resthaven Gardens of Memory & Funeral Home on Monday, November 21 from 1:30 p.m. until Graveside Burial services at 2:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to your favorite charity.

The family of Lillian wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Harvest Manor Healthcare and Rehabilitation, Life Source Services, The Hospice of Baton Rouge, Williamsburg Senior Living Community, and Dr. Susan Richarme for their gracious care.