Bonnie L. Early

After a courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease, Bonnie passed away on January 19, 2017 to join family and friends in the Kingdom of the Lord. She was a strong person physically and spiritually and her faith helped her fight until the very end.

Bonnie was born in Ottawa, Kansas on May 7, 1934 and lived in Wichita Falls, Amarillo, and most recently Denton, Texas. She went to Wichita Falls High School and then moved to Amarillo where she began her career with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, retiring after 31 years of service. She married Russell Early on October 16, 1971 and they were active members of Mescalero Baptist Church of Amarillo. After Russell’s death in 2010 she moved to Denton to be close to family.

As a middle child in a family of ten children, Bonnie was like a mother to her younger siblings, helping her parents whenever she could. Bonnie loved collecting clown figurines and plates and was an excellent cook. She had a wonderful sense of humor and always kept us laughing. Her favorite time of year was Christmas and she was famous in the family for her Christmas candy. Bonnie was a very giving and generous person and helped so many throughout her life. She loved her family and especially her nieces and nephews doing many things for and with them. Bonnie had abundant energy up until the final days of her life. She loved to dance and was often found dancing with her walker throughout the halls of The Carriage House Assisted Living Center entertaining her friends and caregivers.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents Barney and Lola Raines; husband, Russell Early, sisters Doris Jean Raines, Joan Copeland, and Beverly McMennamy, brothers Rhea and B.L. Raines. She is survived by sisters Wanda Post of Eureka Springs, Arkansas; Judi Raines of Dallas, Texas; brothers Dave Raines and wife Hortense of Canyon Lake, Texas; Gary Raines and wife Linda of Denton, Texas; brothers-in-law Glenn McMennamy of Amarillo, Jim Copeland and wife Heather of Copperas Cove, Texas; and sister-in-law Faye Raines of Rowlett, Texas. In addition, step children Rusty Early of Miami, Texas and Wayne Early of Amarillo. She had numerous nieces and nephews, and many life long friends.