Bonnie was born on November 10, 1951, in Welch, WV, the youngest of five children, to Julius and Rosa Lee Dykes. In 1969, she met and married her soul mate of the last 51 years, Wallace Lavender.
Bonnie earned her undergraduate in Business from Concord University and her Master’s in Counseling at Marshall University. For 28 years, she joyfully served her community and her “kids” in McDowell County, WV, as their mentor, teacher, and guidance counselor. She was also the Coordinator for their Drug Free Schools Program, where she wrote many grants that provided funds and resources for the students. She retired in 2004 and relocated to High Point, NC, where she and Wallace began and, very much enjoyed, their next chapter.
We will always remember Bonnie as a great cook, an avid golfer, who also enjoyed pickleball and had a passion for playing cards and games, especially with her family and friends. She was the life of any gathering and always greeted everyone with a huge smile and hug.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Julius and Rosa Lee Dykes; her sister, Anna Mae Roncaglione; and a brother, Rex Eugene Dykes. She is survived by her husband, Wallace Lavender of High Point, NC; her sister, Linda (Bill) Pantili of Princeton, WV; her brother J.A. “Sonny”(Debra) Dykes of High Point, NC; her sisters-in-law, Billie Dykes of Richmond, VA, and Jodie Lavender Lewis of Alisonia, VA; and her only brother-in-law, Kent Lavender of Durham, NC; as well as many nieces and nephews. She had two very special life long friends, Ellen Wood of Farmville, VA, and Tanya Cook of Welch, WV, with whom she worked most of her career in the McDowell County School System.
A private Celebration of Life is being coordinated by Sechrest Funeral Service in High Point, NC. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Bonnie’s memory to the Vietnam Veterans, The American Cancer Society, or to the Barrel Bowl, a charitable organization that benefits McDowell County, WV.
Thank you to everyone for your prayers, cards, food and words of encouragement. Most importantly, to those who knew and loved her – Hugs.
Online condolences may be made at sechrestfunerals.com. Sechrest Funeral Service is honored to serve the Lavender family.
