Mary Louise Bonds

Mary Louise Bonds, age 85, died December 18, 2007 in Austin, Texas. She was born in Boonville, Missouri, on June 30, 1922, to Flossie Wooldridge and Robert Lon Freeman, the youngest of their three daughters. Mary graduated from Boonville High School where she was Vice-President of her class, a member of the Student Council, and was in the Drum and Bugle Corps. After graduation, she attended Central Business College in Sedalia, Missouri, and later worked in Philadelphia for the Office of Defense, Transportation, Railway Transport Division. On July 18, 1946 Mary Louise Freeman wed Gilson Edward Sublett of Sedalia, Missouri. He was a widower with young daughter, Kay Beth, and he owned Main Street Drug Store in Sedalia. Mary became a housewife and mother, later adding another daughter to the family, Barbara. Mr. Sublett died in an automobile accident July 4, 1948. Mary continued running the business for the next couple of years. In late 1950, in walked Texan, Bill Bonds, a young pharmaceutical salesman, fresh from the Navy and Baylor. Mary and Bill were soon wed and worked together at the drug store. Daughter Janet was born. They moved to Lake Jackson in 1953 where Bill worked for Dow Chemical and later moved to Austin in 1956, buying the Toy Palace. Mary helped out at the store, carpooled, helped with Brownies and Girl Scouts, and various PTA's making a wonderful home for her family. The house was always full of friends and relatives. As Bill Bonds became purchasing agent for the City of Austin and later Austin Independent School District, Mary supported his career and enjoyed traveling with him to professional purchasing and credit union meetings. Mary was witty and charming and fun to be with for both friends and family. She possessed a quiet joy that drew people to her. She was so involved with her grandchildren?s lives and never missed a game, a recital, a birthday or special event. Mary is survived by her daughter, Barbara Sublett Bonds Thomas and husband, Dennis L. Thomas and granddaughter, Victoria Lauren Thomas of Austin, Texas; daughter, Kay Beth Sublett Harrell and husband, Skip Harrell of Bloomington, Indiana, granddaughter, Terry Lynn Harrell and Stan Rorick of Indianapolis, Indiana, and grandson, Robert Gilson Harrell and wife, Amber Harrell of Austin, Texas; daughter, Janet Bonds Somerville of Round Rock, Texas, grandson, Shay Cullen Bryant and wife, Soniette Nichole Bryant and great-granddaughter, Brianna Lashay Bryant of Round Rock, Texas, grandson, Jeffrey Bruce Bryant and wife, Karen Elaine Bryant and great-grandson, Walker Evans Bryant, and grandson, Blake Christopher Newman, and granddaughter, Melody Louise Somerville of Austin, Texas. Also surviving are her sister, Ruth L. Norman and niece, Julie K. Norman of Ashland, Oregon; and brother-in-law, James Hutch Walker of Sandy Harbor, Texas. Mary Bonds was preceded in death by her husbands, her parents and her sister, Lily Freeman Walker. Memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. at St. Luke United Methodist Church, 1306 West Lynn, Austin, Texas 78703 on Friday, December 28, 2007. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke United Methodist Church or to a charity of choice. Mary Bonds was devoted to her family and the many friends she made throughout her life. We will miss her fun-loving presence in our lives. Farewell, sweet Mary.