Bonnie J Sowell

Bonnie Joyce Porter Sowell was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on December 21,1933. She left this earth to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on May 16, 2025. At a young age, she inherited the nickname “Toni.” Although she would answer to Toni or Bonnie, the names she loved to hear the most were Meemaw, Grandma, and Mom.

Toni was an active member of her church in West Tennessee and in Lexington, Texas. She taught Sunday School, hosted Bible studies, and as a young lady was a member of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. She used her kind spirit to minister to others through the Meals on Wheels program and visited the elderly in nursing homes. She never missed an opportunity to share the love of Christ with others. One friend said, “She was a fine Christian lady who taught me a lot about praying for others.” Many others remember her as having a beautiful heart and a sweet soul.

Toni was strong in her faith, but she also had a deep love for her country, especially her family members who served in the military and police

Don't let the sweet grandma persona fool you. She was a beast when it came to her favorite sports teams. She rarely missed a game of any sport her children or grandchildren ever played. You could hear her over the entire crowd cheering on the whole team. Before Tennessee inherited the Titans, she was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan. Regardless of who was playing she always found herself cheering on her Tennessee and Texas teams. Then, Memphis was graced with the opportunity to have the Grizzlies. Although there are no real grizzlies in Memphis, Toni was a real bear when anyone would interrupt her favorite NBA team’s game.

Toni will be deeply missed by family and friends, as she has touched the hearts of so many.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Carroll L. Andre Sr. and Lubye Jackson Andre, her siblings: Carroll L. “Rufus” Andre Jr., Kenneth “Buddy” Andre, Morris “Pete” Andre, Marie Vaughan, Finis Elvis Andre, her daughter Bonnie Lynn “Buffy” Himmaugh, her husband Leo L. Porter, and Herman “Sonny” Sowell. Husbands from prior marriages who passed away are Charles “Chuck” Phillips Sr., and Bedford R. “Buddy” Himmaugh.

She is survived by her children: Charles “Chuck” Phillips Jr.(Linda), John Phillips (Jennie), Cindy Billingsley, William “Bill” Phillips, and Hollie Guthormsen (Andy), her grandchildren: Mischelle VanSciver (Will), David McMillan Jr. (Jennifer), Karen Bartlett (Ian), Sherrie Dugan (Kris), Amber Wolf (Sam), Charles “Chuck” Phillips III (Jenny), Will Guthormsen (Sydney), William “Gabe” Phillips, Matt Guthormsen, her many great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, as well as nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, Toni’s family are asking for donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in honor of her daughter Bonnie Lynn “Buffy” Himmaugh.