Bonnia Jean Mildred Williams Fowler

Bonnia Jean Mildred Williams Fowler, 85, passed away on November 9, 2015 at the home of her daughter in Woodbridge, VA. She was born on October 25, 1930 in Stuart’s Landing, MO to Henry Williams and Nannie Hamilton Williams. Bonnia grew up in Caruthersville, MO, but attended James A. Forshay High School in Los Angeles, CA, in 1946. Later she attended Pensacola Junior College and received a certificate in nutrition and worked locally for, among others, Meals on Wheels and Congregate Meals. She retired in 2000 from Santa Rosa Medical Center in Milton, Florida.

Bonnia married John (Johnny) C. Fowler in 1947 in Oceola, Arkansas. They were happily married for 50 years. Bonnia was a member of East Brent Baptist in Pensacola and most recently, Community of Christ Church, in Cantonment, FL. Through the years, she enjoyed participating in Toastmistress, teaching bible studies, bowling, and especially, playing Scrabble and doing picture puzzles with friends and family. She was loved by many and a good and loyal friend. Everyone was welcomed in her home and she was always a generous and gracious hostess to family, friends, and others in need.

Bonnia was preceded in death by her mother, Nannie Stella Hamilton Farris Williams-Bush; father Henry Williams; stepfather Tom Bush; husband John C. Fowler; sisters Belle Cave, Nellie Omeda Ervin, Nona Williams; brothers Eddie B., J.D. and David Farris; and grandsons Christopher and Bryan Jackson. She was also preceded by her beloved Daddy Charlie and Momma Mary of Missouri.

Bonnia is survived by her children: Lorretta (Larry) Swanson, Woodbridge, VA; and Jackie (Bobbie) Rich; Charles (Carolyn) Fowler; Sheri (Ed) Belcher; Mary Watkins; Lisa Stuckey; and John S. Fowler, all of Pensacola. Bonnia has 14 surviving grandchildren: Richelle (Bill) Salmon, Erica Williams, Stephanie (Jason) Isbell, April (Jimmy) Waldrop, Christian (Krissy) Sorensen, Benjamin Callaway, Rhys (Lea) and Jamie Watkins, Edmond Belcher, Joshua (Hamilton) Smith, John Henry Fowler, Samantha (Zachary) Fowler-Frick, Chelsea Riendeau-Kline; and Joshua (Melissa) and Lance (Chris) Swanson. Bonnia is survived by 20 great grandchildren: Zachary and Danielle Salmon; Dustin and Chris Jackson; Zane, Zoe and Brett Williams; Gracelyn Skaggs; Lane and Liberty Isbell; Ava, Camryn, and Kylie Waldrop; Alex Watkins; Abigail and Annabel Callaway; Chloe and Riley Smith; Aryauna Fowler; Madison Kline; Elsie Sorensen; Fate, Savannah and Scarlett Swanson. Bonnia also has 2 great-great grandchildren Hannah Jackson and Sereniti Jackson; and her bother-in-law Joe Fowler; nephews Michael (Darcy) Fowler, Dave Cave, Charles (Terry) and David Story; and nieces Christie Crawford, Annette Salone, and Nancy (Sid) Copeland.

A viewing and visitation will be held at Bayview Fischer-Pou Memorial Chapel, 3351 Scenic Hwy 90E, Pensacola, FL, from 10:00 to 10:45 am on Thursday, November 19, 2015. A service will follow immediately, 11:00 am to 12:00 pm in the Chapel (same date and location). Entombment, family only, will follow the service. Friends and relatives will be received at the home of Sheri Belcher, 1261 Ponderosa Drive, Pensacola, FL, immediately after service.

Pallbearers: Ed Belcher (son-in-law), Larry Swanson (son-in-law), Bill Salmon (grandson), Jamie and Rhys Watkins (grandsons), John Henry Fowler (grandson), Zachary Salmon (great grandson) and Lane Isbell (great grandson).

Condolences may be left on Bonnia Jean Fowler’s memorial website at www.bayviewfisher-pouchapel.com.