Bonney Jean Underwood Abbott went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday night, December 7, 2017. Born on December 4, 1946 in Kingsport, TN and affectionately called “Bonney Jean”. She was educated in Kingsport Public Schools. At Douglass High School she played clarinet in the band. As a proud alum, she was a member the Douglass High School Alumni Association.
After high school, she went to Bands Beauty College in Charlotte, NC. A few years later she relocated to Washington, DC and its metropolitan area, living there more than 40 years. Bonney Jean retired as a Printer from the U.S. Postal Service in Merrifield, VA with over 30 years of service. Every now and then she would comment, “After retirement, it took 3 people to run the Print Shop while I ran it alone”.
During retirement, she graduated cum laude from Southeastern University in Washington, DC with a degree in Child Development. Bonney Jean returned to live in Kingsport, TN in July 2011 and became a member of Bethel AME Zion Church. Upon declining health, she relocated to Texas to live with her daughter and son-in-law.
Bonney Jean never met a stranger. Every time she entered a room, she greeted each person with enthusiasm. Bonney Jean was an angel on Earth. Her loving spirit and ability to see the beauty in everyone and everything will truly be missed.
Bonney Jean was preceded in death by husband, Clarence J. Abbott; father, Barney Lafayette Underwood, II; mother, Helen Ruth Lyle Underwood Fain; stepfather, Charles Fain; sister, Lillian Leeper (Underwood); brothers, Barney L. Underwood, III and Charles R. Underwood, Sr.
She leaves to mourn her passing, daughter, Bonnetta Jean Wynn and son-in-law, Vin Varghese of McKinney, TX; sister, Sandra Wilmer (Underwood) of Church Hill, TN; brother-in-law, Clifford Leeper; sisters-in-law, Vera Underwood of Spindale, NC and Marilyn Underwood of Church Hill, TN; aunts, Shirley Liggett (Lyle) of Arlington, VA, Ethel R. Russell of Kingsport, TN, and Daisy Mae Taylor (Underwood) of Harrisburg, PA; special aunt, Marion Booker of Kingsport, TN; special son, Emanuel Gallmon of Washington, DC; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, friends, and their families.
Visitation is at 11 AM on Thursday, December 28, 2017 at Central Baptist Church in Kingsport, TN. The memorial service is at 12 PM also at Central Baptist Church. Interment follows at Oak Hill Memorial Park in Kingsport, TN. Repast is at Bethel AME Zion Church in Kingsport, TN.
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