Bonnie Bobango

Bonnie was born in Wilson, Arkansas on August 28, 1933 and moved with her family to Memphis, Tennessee as a young girl. She attended Humes High School. Bonnie married Charles John Bobango Jr., who served his country honorably in the United States Navy. Together with their children, they traveled the country during John’s military career, making homes in Virginia, Washington, California, and Hawaii before settling in Memphis in February 1970, following his retirement from the Navy.

Bonnie dedicated much of her life to serving her community. While raising her children, she became involved in youth sports organizations and civic activities. In 1967, she made history as the first female president of the Aiea Little League Association in Oahu, Hawaii. During the 1970s, she also served as staff youth director for Schoolfield Methodist Church in Memphis. Her commitment to youth and education extended through numerous leadership roles, including service on the boards of the Frayser High School PTA, the Frayser High School Booster Club, the Frayser Community Council, and as vice-chair of the Frayser-Millington Mental Health Board of Directors.

Bonnie was also a passionate and influential figure in local politics and civic leadership throughout Shelby County and West Tennessee. She served as Shelby County volunteer chairman for the Reagan-Bush campaign in 1984, was a member of the Shelby County Republican Convention Committee in 1981, served on the Shelby County Republican Steering Committee, and held a position on the executive board of the Shelby County Republican Women’s Club.

She twice ran for Tennessee State Representative for District 88, in 1976 and again in 1986. Bonnie also played major roles in numerous political campaigns throughout the region, serving as campaign manager for congressional, city council, and judicial races, including campaigns for Bill Gibbons and Chancellor D.J. Alissandratos. Bill Gibbons and Annabelle Woodall once remarked, “Bonnie Bobango was the top Republican leader in Frayser during the years in which our party was being built.”

Bonnie was preceded in death by her husband, Charles John Bobango, and her daughter, Bonnie Dean Brown. She is survived by her son, John Bobango (Lisa); her grandchildren, Allen Bobango (Maddy), Mary Lauren Stewart (Michael), Danielle Brown Tolson (Mike), and Kirk Brown (Amber); and her great-grandchildren, Lucy, Bo, Boone, Rush, Marcus, Harlynn, and Benjamin.

Bonnie will be remembered for her dedication to her family, commitment to her community, and the lasting impact she made through civic leadership and public service.

Visitation will be held at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Avenue, on Thursday, May 21 from 1:00 PM until the funeral service at 2:00 PM. Burial will immediately follow at Elmwood Cemetery, 824 South Dudley Street, Memphis, Tennessee.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be sent to; St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online, www.stjude.org/donate