Bonnie L. O’Dell Bloxham

September 1, 1930 – November 27, 2025

With steadfast faith and abundant peace and joy, Bonnie Louise O’Dell Bloxham, 95, stepped gracefully into her heavenly home on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025. During a brief illness, she was surrounded constantly by those who love her so dearly and who brought her great joy. She was known as an elegant, beautiful southern lady who charmed everyone she met. Her positive outlook was complimented by her gracious and happy personality. She was always deeply loved.

Bonnie was born in Queen City, TX, Sept 1, 1930, as the only child of the late Joseph Edward O’Dell and Bessie Faye Fischer O’Dell. She was born into a loving family who loved the Lord. In 1861, her 2nd great-grandfather, James M. Yeats, deeded acreage for a church and cemetery to Red Bayou Methodist Church in New Boston, TX. In 1936, when she was 6 years old, Bonnie’s parents took her to a church revival conducted in a tent lit with oil lanterns, held on the lawn of the church. At the end of the service, she surprised her parents when she answered the pastor’s invitation and, quietly leaving her parents, she walked down the aisle by herself, accepting Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She would later explain, “The Lord just led me down that aisle and I’ve been a Christian ever since.” A lifelong devotion to Christ was born that night and would live in her heart for the next 89 years, as she shared that faith with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Despite growing up during the Great Depression and later WWII, she had a very happy childhood in New Boston and other surrounding small towns in northeast Texas. Bonnie attended New Boston High School where she was very active in numerous school activities, including serving as the Drum Major of the marching band. At age 14, she met the love of her life, Robert Owen Bloxham. They married on Sept 9, 1951 and moved to Austin, TX, where he studied chemistry at the University of Texas. While in Austin, their son, Robert, was born in 1952.

After graduation, Robert Owen began his lifelong career as a chemist with Allied Chemical Co in Orange, TX, where their daughter, Susan, was born. They raised the children in a loving, supportive family environment where Bonnie participated in community and church events such as scouting, Women’s Society of Christian Service (WSCS), Garden Club, the Women’s Club of Orange, and other service organizations. In the late 1960’s, she was recruited to teach in a pre-school for children with special needs and soon realized that the Lord had placed a special calling upon her heart.

In 1970, Robert Owen (Bob) was transferred to Allied Chemical Co in Louisiana and the family moved to Baton Rouge, where they made many lifelong friends and fully enjoyed the south Louisiana culture. They enjoyed fishing, as well as exploring the bayous and historical sites of the region. With Bonnie’s flair for creativity and hospitality, she & Bob enjoyed hosting many dinner gatherings with friends, rehearsal dinners & weddings, and other special events. And Bonnie found her true home when her heart for children with special needs soon led her to the SEARCH Center, later known as ARC Baton Rouge: A Place for all Abilities, where she would serve as an educator. It was here she would teach, laugh, and love children and their families for 20 years, earning great respect as an educator and answering the call God had placed upon her heart so many years before.

And then, beginning in 1983, the light of their lives arrived when granddaughter Ashley Victoria was born, soon followed by grandson Benjamin Robert. Within a few short years, they retired and moved to Keller, TX, to live near their daughter, Susan, and the grandchildren. They quickly became fully involved in the kids’ lives, enjoying their many school activities, various sports, and traveling together frequently. They attended church together at First Methodist Church Grapevine, where Bonnie and Bob became active in several church groups and activities. After 48 years of happy marriage, Bob passed away unexpectedly March 1,1999. Bonnie soon moved to Grapevine to live close to daughter Susan, her grandchildren, and numerous friends.

Some time later, Bonnie found companionship with a long-time friend, Dick Carlson, and they enjoyed socializing with friends, family activities, and traveling together to many countries around the world, until his passing in 2019. She was a member of Whites Chapel Methodist Church in Southlake, TX for the past 25 years where she worshiped and studied the Bible with longtime friends.

Bonnie, known as “Mimi” to her 5 great-grandchildren, adored each one and they all adored her. As they grew, she loved attending their baseball, softball, basketball, and football games as well as birthday parties, school concerts and other events. She was very proud of each one for their unique talents and enjoyed celebrating holidays together. At the time of her passing, she was looking forward to welcoming her 6th great-grandchild, who is expected to arrive soon.

Bonnie’s life was blessed abundantly with deep love and devotion to her family and friends. Hers was a life well-lived and a life well-loved. She has run the race. Stayed the course. Finished well. “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:23

In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her loving husband of 48 years, Robert O. (Bob) Bloxham. She is survived by son Robert A. Bloxham (Eleanor J. Bloxham), daughter Susan Garvin (James Garvin), granddaughter Ashley Morland (Blake Morland), grandson Benjamin Waldrop (Ashley Waldrop), great-grandchildren Colton Morland, Dylan Morland, Adelynn Waldrop, Kinsley Waldrop, and Jacob Waldrop.

All are invited to join the family at a graveside service on Dec. 17, 2025, at 2:00pm at Grapevine Cemetery, N Dooley St, Grapevine, TX. A Celebration of Life gathering for family and friends will be held immediately following at a location to be announced.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing". II Timothy 4:7-8

Memorial donations may be made to:

* The ARC BR: A Place for all Abilities:12616 Jefferson Hwy, Baton Rouge, LA https://thearcbr.org/

* Red Bayou Methodist Church: PO Box 453, New Boston, TX 75570, https://www.redbayoumethodistchurch.org/

* VITAS Fort Worth Hospice: https://vitascommunityconnection.org/

Our family would like to extend special thanks and appreciation to the nurses, caregivers, and staff at VITAS Hospice for their compassionate, loving and spiritual care. “I thank my God every time I remember you.” Philippians 1:3