Bonita Jill Stephens

Wife, Daughter, Sister, and Friend. Bonnie was born on November 23, 1954 in Russellville, Kentucky. It was in Kentucky that Bonnie spent her early years before her family moved to Nashville, Tennessee. Bonnie entered school at Tom Joy Elementary in Nashville then transferred to Cross Plains Elementary in Robertson County Tennessee in 1964. Bonnie continued to spend summers with her favorite Aunt and Uncle (Cecil and Chester) in Keysburg, Kentucky. Bonnie's strong belief in God and love of cooking came from her mother, her grandmother Webb, and her beloved aunt Cecil. Bonnie loved the country life and the many, many friends she made there through the years. Her elementary and high school friends provided a continuous source of encouragement and love. The love of her life was her husband, James. James and Bonnie, met, fell in love, and were married in 1974. Through the years, James and Bonnie prospered with Bonnie working for the State of Tennessee (Labor and Workforce Development) and James working as a master electrician; together they amassed a collection of antiques and collectibles that would rival any museum. Their passion of living and working together produced both beautiful homes and meticulously landscaped lawns. Although without heirs, James and Bonnie had numerous feline children, that were honored with parties, love, and most important a full run of the house. When Bonnie was stricken with a brain tumor in 2008, James and Bonnie's mother and brother Roy, put their life on hold to assist with her treatment and care. The prognosis for Bonnie's cancer was anything but encouraging, but she never let her illness get her down, She continued her efforts to write and publish a cookbook featuring recipes that had earned her numerous county and State fair blue ribbons over the years. Though she could barely write, she finished that cookbook and continued to play weekly cards with her close friends, Ray Spohn and Leslie Matthews. After a long three year fight, Bonnie passed away at 9:45 AM Thursday, March 31, 2011 - but she never gave up, she never stopped fighting. Bon-Bon you were one tough girl. Bonnie was deeply committed to many charities, her home church and church family - First Church of the Nazarene (pastor Robert Field) in Springfield, Tennessee, her Florida church and church family - Grace Fellowship Church of the Nazarene (pastor John Hay) in Oak Hill, and will be greatly missed by her family and her many friends. She is survived by her loving husband of 36 years James Stephens; mother, Betty Wildmone of Daytona; brothers, Tony Perry (Faye) of Gallatin, Tennessee and Roy Wildmone (CJ) of South Daytona. In addition, she is survived by an Aunt Madeline Newsom; and cousin, Sue Garray of Lebanon, Tennessee; niece, Jennifer Wright (Phillip) - and her children, Caleb, Callie, Cameron; and grandchild Keylee of West-moreland, Tennessee; niece Marissa Waldon of South Daytona; and nephew, Travis Malone of Goodlettsville, Tennessee. Funeral service were held on April 4, 2011 with a graveside service immediately follow at Daytona Memorial Park Cemetery, with Pastor John Hay officiating. A memorial service will be held on May 1, 2011 at the First Church of The Nazarene in Springfield 819 South main Street at 2 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Church of the Nazarene Building Fund care of Austin & Bell Funeral Home in Springfield

Bonita Jill Stephens

November 23, 1954 - March 31, 2011