Bonnie A. Byers (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Bonnie Allene Byers, daughter of Charles Eber and Gertrude Dixon Blue, was born November 20, 1916, in Battles, Arkansas. She departed this life Monday, December 15, 2014, in Intermountain Medical Center, in Murray, Utah, at the age of ninety-eight years, and twenty-five days.
On September 9, 1944, she was united in marriage to Glen Harper Byers, and to this union one daughter and one son were born.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Glen, on March 18, 2001; a daughter, Penny Jokel; a grandson, Justin Jokel; two brothers, James and Clarence; and a sister, Opal.
Bonnie is survived by a son, Gary Byers, and his wife, Virginia, of Rock Springs, Wyoming; two grandsons, Forest Byers, and his wife, Kassie, of Rock Springs, Wyoming, and Ryan Byers, and his wife, Anne-Sophie, of North Bethesda, Maryland; a great-grandson, Hudson Byers, of Rock Springs, Wyoming; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
She was born and raised in Arkansas, and graduated from Cushman High School in the Class of 1934, at the age of sixteen. She then attended Southwest Junior College in Texas where she obtained her teaching license and began her teaching career at Salt Creek School when she was eighteen. She met Glen while she was earning her Bachelor’s Degree from Andrews University in Michigan, and they were soon married. Bonnie was a devoted homemaker and mother and also continued teaching elementary school in various places where she and Glen made their home. Eventually, they moved to Lebanon, Missouri, and she and Glen began teaching for the Waynesville School System. Bonnie earned both her Master’s Degree and Specialist Degree from Drury University in Springfield. Bonnie continued to teach special needs students in Waynesville until retiring in 1990. For the last several years, Bonnie made her home near her son and family in Wyoming and tutored children with reading problems until she was ninety-four years old.
Bonnie was a longtime active member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Lebanon, where she was involved in various types of church work over the years.
In her spare time she was an avid reader, and was a dedicated worker within her church. She had a very kind and giving spirit and was always willing to help others. She loved her family dearly and especially enjoyed her grandsons and great-grandson.
Bonnie was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and her accomplishments and know that her family and friends will cherish the wonderful memories she created for them during her ninety-eight years.
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