Bonnie Louise Butler Jay

Bonnie Louise Butler Jay lived a long life with a happy positive attitude. Bonnie Jay loved people and enjoyed spirited relationships with friends and family all 94-and-a-half years of her life. She took only aspirin for medication during her lifetime, but died of acute cellulitis on September 3, 2009, according to her daughter, Jo Ann Jay Howard and son James Lee (J.L) Jay. She was her happiest taking care of her family, especially her five grandchildren: J.L. Jay, Eric Howard, Jay Howard, Lee Howard, and Katie Howard Henry. She adored and regularly wanted more pictures of her twelve great-grandchildren: Haley Howard, Laney Howard, Jenna Howard, Tyler Howard, Jessi Lee Howard, Ted Howard, Bonnie Tutt Howard, Charles Starling Howard, John Lincoln Jay, Hannah Jay, Carson Henry and Cooper Henry. She leaves great-nephews Keith and Phil Clegg and a great-niece, Dr. Kelley Kayes-Everett, who remembered her lovingly and regularly. Cooking was her talent with chicken fried steak and warm pineapple-upside down cake her culinary specialties. Bonnie Jay was born January 8, 1915, in Gainesville, Texas, the youngest of seven children. Her mother died young, leaving her husband James B. Butler and her children in the care of the oldest daughter, Ella Butler. Despite coming of age in the Great Depression, Bonnie graduated from Gainesville High School and attended Abilene Christian College. It was in West Texas she met and married Ted R. Jay on July 11, 1935. Bonnie and Ted Jay had two children: J.L. and Jo Ann. She was step-mother to Ted's daughters, Kathryn and Mary Francis. Bonnie and Ted Jay lived for many years in Abilene, Texas on "the Hill" before moving in 1970 to Texarkana, Texas, where they enjoyed living on the "Lazy J" farm, near grandchildren. She was a member of Walnut Street Church of Christ in Texarkana before relocating to Austin in 1990. Bonnie Jay will be missed and fondly remembered by her loving family who kept in close touch with her. Her birthdays were all-out celebrations that she loved to share with friends and family. She loved wearing festive outfits which she wore for seasonal holidays and events. Her last home in Austin, Ashwood Assisted Living, gave her great support and loving care the last four years of her life. Everyone around her learned to move back as she sped through the halls on her battery chair at top speed. Anna Pettis and Lucy Ernest were loving caretakers both at Ashwood and throughout the last months of her life. The lessons of Bonnie Jay's life are to make the most of every opportunity, to cherish family and especially the little ones; to keep a positive and upbeat attitude about life without complaints; to enjoy ice cream, Dr. Pepper and cookies without remorse; and, to keep faith. She outlived her parents, siblings, husband, and almost all of her friends. Except for the last few weeks of her life, she was keeping up with family events, sporting events (however, her support of Tiger Woods was waning), her Ashwood family, and the Democratic Party with enthusiasm and interest. A private family memorial will be held in the fall. The family asks that any memorials be directed to Walnut Street Church of Christ in Texarkana, Texas, Ashwood Assisted Living in Austin, Texas, Opportunities in Texarkana, Texas or Family Eldercare in Austin, Texas.