Mrs. Fonda Stephens Gonzales

Fonda Gonzales, Mom to some, Granny or Aunt Fonda to most, friend to all, was born on April 20, 1927 in Plainview, Texas. At birth, her doctor decided to name her for his wife, so, on the birth certificate he filled out, her name appears Lena Fay Stephens. Her parents, Floyd and Verna Stephens, had other ideas. They decided to name their 2nd daughter la Fonda after a hotel name that Floyd saw during his travels.

Her early life was hard. Her dad wasn't around much and most of the care and upbringing was given by her mother. They lived in various locations around north Texas including Plainview, Stinnet, Lefors and Pampa. Lodging was always meager, from a wooden shanty, a tent, someone's barn, and even a cave and a box car. But wherever it was, it was called home, and it was filled with nurturing, caring, and lots of love. Though two siblings preceded her in death, Gerttie Thelma and Verna Nadine, she had a sister Melba and brothers Don, Lon, Floyd, and Lloyd. At one time she and her family worked as sharecroppers to help make ends meet. It may have been hard work but there was still time for play. She recalled one time when her brother, Lon was really aggravating them all and when they finally had enough, they started after him. He ran to and climbed an apple tree to escape them and dared any of them to come up after him. When they approached, he unzipped his pants and, well, you can guess the rest! But, hard as it was, there was always love and there was plenty of that to go around.

During the war, she, her mother, and sister got a job at Pampa Air Field. She was taught welding and became a very good welder. She always spoke proudly of her ability and the work she did for the war effort. At Pampa Air Field, she would meet her future husband, Raymond Bauner Gonzales. It was love at first site for Raymond but not so much for Fonda. She recalled that she thought him too homely and skinny. He proposed marriage on their first date but was rebuked. But, eventually, on one of his frequent proposals of marriage, she finally accepted and they were married on January 9, 1945 in Pampa.

Their first son, Raymond, Jr., was born on October 21, 1945 in Pampa. They lived at 738 Barnes St. In March of 1945, the little family moved back to Raymond's hometown of New Orleans. There, they lived at 2716 Cleveland Ave. Nine years later, a second son, Michael, would be born.

Fonda was quite the homemaker. Other than the typical household chores, she was quick to pick up a hammer, saw, paint brush, or whatever was needed to get a particular job done. She was an excellent cook, bringing to the table fare she learned to prepare in Texas and was quick to learn the local favorites from her mother-in-law or from her cook books. Sewing was a favorite past times as was knitting, crocheting, painting by number, reading, and bowling. She enrolled in the Robouin School in the early 1960's and received her certification in interior design. In the mid 60's she joined her first bowling league and remained a league bowler until 2013. In 1975, Fonda took a Wilton Cake Decorating class and delighted friends and family with beautifully decorated cakes and took in even further by achieving a master cake decorator certificate in 1976. In 2000 she finally realized a lifelong ambition to take art lessons. Traveling across the north shore with her daughter-in-law Patty, she would become quite good not only at pencil portraits but also landscapes and still lifes in watercolor and pastels. She had just finished her last watercolour at the time of her

passing. 2007 found her on the golf course with her niece, Gina, taking golf lessons.

She always loved animals. As a child, her pets naturally included dogs and cats but also guinea hens, chickens, a ground hog and a billy goat named, of course, Billy. Billy would often be found up on the steps of the Stinnet Court House, causing a call to be made to her mother to come and get the goat! In New Orleans there was always a dog, one to three house cats, and for a time about 20 strays that she cared for. And then there was Limey her parrot. Most any morning, you could find Fonda sitting reading the paper with Susan her cat laying strategically in the middle of her paper, and Limey sitting on her shoulder sharing her morning coffee. After Susan passed away, our dog Pena Colada (Penny) went to live with her and the two quickly bonded. Anywhere Fonda went, Penny was by her side. She was a member of and contributor to the Doris Day Animal League and the Louisiana Humane Society.

In 1998, Raymond and Fonda decided to sell the old family home in New Orleans. One weekend, while out looking at houses, they got lost in an area of north Kenner, and quite by accident found the house that would become their new home, 22 St. Thomas Dr. Packing up and moving 80 plus years of belongings and memories was a daunting task but it was done. Fonda loved showing off her new home to family and friends and each Thanksgiving and Christmas the family and close friends would carry on the tradition of gathering there for dinner. Everyone loved her roast turkey, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole and corn bread stuffing, among other things. And, of course there were her tuna patties and oyster patties.

After Raymond's passing in 2007, she shunned suggestions to move in with family. She stayed in her home and continued her independent lifestyle. She drove herself wherever she had to go; the store, her hair appointments, art lessons, and bowling until 2013 when she first got ill. Luckily for the family though, she gave up driving on her own, frequently reminding everyone that she could still drive "if she had to". Once or twice she did sneak out on her own.

The grandkids were her special joy. Whether it was babysitting, sleep overs, school functions, helping with a project, sewing for them,sitting on the floor playing with them (sometimes inside a box!) or otherwise spoiling them, she was always there for them in any capacity. Nothing was too much or out of the question. It continued when the great grand kids came along and she looked forward to their visits.

Many words can and have been used when speaking of her, one of the most commonly used was patient. Saint Fonda frequently came up too. Some of her family had many kind words to say about her at her eulogy; some very poignant.

From Gina (grand daughter): "The best! She was the best grandmother in the world. As long as I can remember, if I was upset about something I went to talk to her. She would always make me feel better. Even today, I feel kind of lost because I don't know who I'll turn to to just to talk things out. She and Paw would take us to City Park and Storyland when I was little. She took take care of us in every possible way. Unconditional love. So I know it exists. When I used to sleep over we would stay up late and eat Ruffles and French onion dip. When I got older we shared margaritas together."

From Shana (grand daughter): "Peanut M & M's! Accepting. She was the most accepting member of the family."

From Sherry (grand daughter): "She loved to feed people. You would never go hungry at her house. She was going to feed you whether you were hungry or not. And she made the best fried chicken! She spoiled her grandchildren. She always brought us M & M's when she went to the store."

From Elizabeth (grand daughter): "My granny was the most stubborn, strong, bullheaded, independent woman I've ever met! But she was also the kindest, big hearted woman as well. She was the best granny anyone could ask for. She spoiled her kids, grand kids, and great grand kids. This may be a typical job for grandmothers, but she was truly one of a kind. From breakfasts consisting of two types of eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy, and toast in a single morning to giving money to anyone, even when you didn't ask, granny just loved to take care of everyone. She was a typical Southern woman but she was the best. We all have some big shoes to fill if we are to carry on her legacy!"

From Wade (nephew, as delivered by his wife, Cindy): "My Aunt Fonda was a class act and a movie star beauty! She loved both sides of her family... her Louisiana family and her Texas family. One side walked a straight line with the law and the other side kind of zig zagged a little. She had a heart of gold. I can remember all of her brothers would come by when she was here in Texas and she loved to take a sip of whiskey with them out in the car, lady like, you know. They all loved one another and you knew not to mess with one because the others would get you! I can remember at this time of year a big box would come in the mail with presents for all of the kids. She loved to walk the Palo Duro Canyon and pick up rocks. I know she is proud of all her family and they are proud of her. It is hard to say everything about my favorite aunt in just a little while. When you have a week I can tell you more!"

From Patty (daughter-in-law): "My mother-in-law was one of the most genuinely loving and selfless people I've ever known. She was always concerned with the comfort and well being of others. She made sure that everyone felt welcome in her home. It was all about family for her. As one of her nephews said, "She loved her family, both Louisiana family and Texas family. She recently discovered a long lost great nephew and she welcomed him with open arms and made him feel as if he had always been a part of the family. She loved children. She spoiled all the kids, especially her grandchildren. She would sew clothes and costumes for them, make special treats, and she never came home from the store without coming home with a bag of M & Ms. She made holidays special for the whole family. She was a great cook. Everyone will remember her for her cooking. She loved animals and my husband and I were often her partners in crime when, for example, she would try to hide a recuperating stray cat in the attic from my father-in-law. He would have squawked, but not TOO loudly. He knew that was just who she was and one of the reasons we all loved her. I'm not really a drinker, but on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, Easter, and the Fourth of July, we would share a bottle of Asti Spumante (our favorite drink) and toast each other. Everyone knew that she loved her Asti so someone would usually show up at family gatherings and special occasions with a bottle. On New Year's Eve she would make tuna and egg salad sandwiches and we'd have those and chips and French Onion dip (she loved her French Onion dip) for supper and later we'd break open the Asti for a toast at midnight. I sure am going to miss those egg salad and tuna sandwiches. Nobody could make them like she did. She was always a lady. She was always there for anyone in need. She was generous with all she had; always thinking more of others than of herself. She was always there for all of us.

Out of her friends, there was one person she considered her best friend. She had this to say. "I'm Aunt Fonda's niece, Gail, or as she called me, the Pest. How do you put 72 years of memories into a few words? She was 15 when I was born. She would dress me up and tell everyone I was hers. She would make sure I had a bonnet on me as I had no hair until I was about two. She married Uncle Ray when she was 17, I think, and they went back to New Orleans to live. When Raymie was born, we would get to see them in the summers. They would come stay a month. That was the highlight of summer! Then at Christmas time, she would send a big box of gifts for all of us. That was waited on almost as much as waiting on Santa Claus. Mom would get the call that the box was at the bus station. So many memories of that big box. I got to go spend the summer after Mikey was born. That was such fun! Ramie & I would take the trolley downtown go to a movie & walk home. We would stop at all the little souvenir shops. There were baby alligators and I wanted to take one home with me but she said no. In the later years she and Mikey would come down. Ramie had discovered girls. In the last years since momma passed, I would go stay with auntie. She was my hideout. We had so much fun doing nothing big; going to the casinos once in awhile, playing Farkle with Patty & Mikey, or playing Aggravation . You didn't want to sit too close cause she could hit pretty good for an old lady! You would get popped for calling her that too. She was still bowling the last time I was there. Wasn't too bad for an old lady. After bowling we would go to the store to get groceries. She liked my cooking. We might get a muffaletta or order pizzas I could always count on her. Whatever I needed, she would always come through. So as i said how do you put 72 years of love in a few words? To sum it up, she was a classy, loving, sweet lady. She was MY AUNTIE and I love & miss her but she's with all the folks thats gone ahead of her. I love you auntie, the Pest.

There are many great stories about Fonda. When she was a young girl there wasn't always much food on the table. Once, her brother Don came up to her and said, "Close your eyes and open your mouth, I'm going to give you a big surprise!" Fonda said she closed her eyes and flew her mouth open, and Don shoved a handful of chicken manure in her mouth. Needless to say, the chase was on! She loved to play with paper dolls when she was little. Her sister, Melba would come in occasionally and shout "Here comes a storm!" and would blow her paper dolls to pieces. All the kids got their hair cut at home. Once, Melba decided she would cut Fonda's hair. One side appeared to be shorter then the other so she would go back to the long side and trim it up only to find that the other side was then shorter. She never could get it evened out. If you notice photo #5 which is one of her school pictures, you can see the results of that haircut. Her brother-in-law, Waldemar brought his wife and young daughter, Carolyn to New Orleans for a visit. Carolyn recalls the visit as being totally taken aback when she first saw Fonda holding her young son, Raymond, thinking it was the Blessed Mother!

And then there was this from her long time friend and bowling buddy, Barbara Cozic. "Fonda and I were friends and bowling partners for more than 25 years. During that time we spent most of our time talking about our children, grandchildren, and eventually, great grandchildren. Fonda loved and was very proud of all her family. While attending each other's important birthdays or anniversaries, we were able to put names with faces. she spoke lovingly about her mother who she took care of without complaint. When our husbands died we comforted each other. Once, Fonda told me about the home invasions her family endured and how, in one of them, she had brushed away the gun that was pointed at her face. A great daughter, wife, mother, granny, and someone who could brush away a gun---what a woman! Everone in our bowling league will miss the delicious pineapple cake Fonda would bring each year to our Christmas party. After the cake was finished I would scrape up the crumbs to eat! Another thing we had in common was enjoying time at the casino. I miss her welcome smile, sense of humor, willingness to try something new, and our occasional lunches together. Bowling will never be the same."

So, you see, whether you called her Mom, Granny, Aunt Fonda, or friend we all have our very fond, cherished memories of her. We are all both blessed and richer for having her in our lives. Her next door neighbor and "adopted" son, Kevin Gale summed it up nicely once, saying, "She was a National Treasure". Yes, she was.

GENEALOGY:

Walter Stephens - Grandfather (Deceased)

Born: November 11, 1870; Decatur, AL United States

Married: December 8, 1889

Died: June 24, 1949; Burneyville, OK United States

Lona Pinkney Adair Stephens - Grandmother

(Deceased)

Born: March 18, 1872; Lawrence, AL United States

Married: December 8, 1889

Died: January 14, 1945; LeFors, TX United States

James Bonaparte Day - Grandfather (Deceased)

Born: May 31, 1870; Blanco Co, TX United States

Married: October 8, 1900

Died: January 31, 1958; Pampa, TX United States

Sarah Jo Catherine Day Porter - Grandmother

(Deceased)

Born: September 26, 1885; Blanco Co., TX United States

Married: October 8, 1900

Died: July 28, 1976; Amarillo, TX United States

Leon Edward Day - Uncle (Deceased)

Born: February 8, 1908; Jones Co., TX United States

Died: April 20, 1992; Abilene, TX United States

Dwight Lofton Day - Uncle (Deceased)

Born: February 6, 1909; Crystal City, TX United States

Died: June 30, 1981; Pampa, TX United States

Euna Beatrice Swafford - Aunt (Deceased)

Born: March 15, 1916; Taylor Co., TX United States

Died: August 15, 1995; Pampa, TX United States

Mettie la Verna Stephens - Mother (Deceased)

Born: April 3, 1903; Alamogorda, NM United States

Married: November 27, 1920

Died: May 20, 2004; Metairie, LA United States

Floyd Austin Stephens - Father (Deceased)

Born: March 25, 1895; Denton, TX United States

Married: November 27, 1920

Died: September 26, 1971; Ft. Worth, TX United States

Gertie Thelma Stephens - Sister (Deceased)

Born: November 8, 1921; Abilene, TX United States

Died: November 8, 1921; Abilene, TX United States

Flora de Melba Day - Sister (Deceased)

Born: October 12, 1922; Abilene, TX United States

Died: June 5, 2001; Burleson, TX United States

Ancil Theodore Day - Brother- in-law (deceased)

Born November 24, 1916

Died: April 3, 1905; Ft. Worth, TX United States

Richard Dale Day - Nephew (Deceased)

Born: October 28, 1940; Pampa, TX United States

Died: September 10, 2015; Ft. Worth, TX United States

Verna Gail Britain - Niece

Born: May 13, 1942; Pampa, TX United States

Donald Day - Nephew (Deceased)

Born: February 19, 1949; Pampa, TX United States

Died: February 19, 1949; Pampa, TX United States

Ronald Day - Nephew (Deceased)

Born: February 19, 1949

Died: February 19, 1949; Pampa, TX United States

Carson Edward Day - Nephew

Born: April 25, 1947; Pampa, TX United States

Vance Leon Day - Nephew (Deceased)

Born: March 10, 1951; Amarillo, TX United States

Died: January 28, 2014; Ft. Worth, TX United States

Clyde Waylen Day - Nephew

Born: April 7, 1957; Ft. Worth, TX United States

Sherry Lynn Alcala - Niece

Born: January 17, 1959; Ft. Worth, TX United States

Verna Nadine Stephens - Sister (Deceased)

Born: April 20, 1925; Abilene, TX United States

Died: November 4, 1926; Amarillo, TX United States

Don Roy Stephens - Brother (Deceased)

Born: May 24, 1928; Lefors, TX United States

Died: January 27, 1999; Cummins, GA United States

Eileen Grissom - sister-in-law

Born: August 31 1940; Wellington, TX United States

Died: May 11, 2003; Cumming, GA United States

Don Roy Stephens Jr. - Nephew (Deceased)

Born: April 12, 1954; Texas United States

Died: June 1, 1978; Tucson, Az United States

Edith (Sissy) Stephens - Niece (Deceased)

Lisa Dawn Blackwell - Niece

Born: December 4, 1965; Amarillo, TX

Dion Phillip Stephens - Nephew

Born: January 29, 1968; Amarillo, TX United States

Lon Troy Stephens - Brother (Deceased)

Born: December 3, 1931; Stinnet, TX United States

Died: August 15, 1973; Amarillo, TX United States

June Goldring - sister-in-law

Born: June 16, 1942; Ft. Worth, TX United States

Satina Dare Tidwell - Niece

Born: March 29, 1956; Ft. Worth, TX United States

James Glen Stephens - Nephew

Born: July 4, 1959; Ennis, TX United States

Krista Lain Stephens - Niece

Born: August 30, 1958; Ft. Worth, TX United States

Fonda Stephens - Niece (Deceased)

Born: August 31, 1960; Ft. Worth, TX United States

Died: March 20, 2014; Marrero, LA United States

Christopher Lon Stephens - Nephew (Deceased)

Born: October 7, 1963; Amarillo, TX United States

Died: October 7, 1963; Amarillo, TX United States

Jimmy Lloyd Stephens - Brother (Deceased

Born: December 20, 1936; LeFors, TX United States

Died: February 19, 2008; Abilene, TX United States

Floretta McCoy - Sister-in-law

Gregory Warren Stephens - Nephew

Born: November 25, 1959; Ft. Worth, TX Unitd States

Angela Gaye Stephens - Niece

Born: June 18, 1962; Ft. Worth, TX United States

Page Fuller - Niece

Born: June 9, 1973; Ft. Worth, TX United States

Billy Floyd Stephens - Brother

Born: December 20, 1936; LeFors, TX United States

Stella Jean Sharp - sister-in-law

Sandy Stephens - Nephew

Billy Stephens - Nephew

Austin Lynn Stephens - Nephew

Born: March 8, 1958

Mark Anthony Stephens - Nephew

Born: April 8, 1959

Raymond Bauner Gonzales Sr. - Husband

(Deceased)

Born: February 8, 1927; New Orleans, LA United States

Married: January 9, 1945

Died: July 9, 2007; Harahan, LA United States

Rene Demarcello Gonzales - Father in-law (Deceased)

Born: December 11, 1885; Galvestown, TX Unitred States

Died: May 14, 1953; New Orleans, LA United States

Elizabeth Johanna Bauner - Mother-in-law (Deceased)

Born: December 31, 1888; New Orleans, LA United States

Died: October 2, 1974; New Orleans, LA United States

Raymond Bauner Gonzales, Jr. - Son

Born: October 21, 1945; Pampa, TX United States

Eugenia Ann Gonzales - Daughter-in-law

Born: July 23, 1946; New Orleans, LA United States

Married: January 29, 1966

Gina Lee Ann Vilar - Grandchild

Born: October 10, 1966; New Orleans, LA United States

Catherine Lea Vilar - Great Granddaughter

Born: August 4, 2003; Metairie, LA United States

Camille Marianna Eugenia Vilar - Great Granddaughter

Born: December 2, 2006; Covington, LA United States

Raymond Bauner Gonzales III - Grandchild

Born: July 22, 1968; New Orleans, LA United States

Nicole Ann Maggio

Born: March 4, 1971; Baton Rouge, LA United States

Married: April 20, 1996; New Orleans, LA United States

Bailey Nicole Gonzales - Great Granddaughter

Born: October 25, 1999; Jefferson, LA United States

Nicholas Bauner Gonzales - Great Grandson

Born: July 11, 2002; Jefferson, LA United States

Michael Stephen Gonzales - Son

Born: August 13, 1954; New Orleans, LA United States

Married: January 5, 1985

Patricia Ann Gonzales - Daughter-in-law

Born: March 7, 1949; Bakersfield, CA United States

Married: January 5, 1985

Shana Lynn Cooper - Granddaughter

Born: May 5, 1973; Arlington, TX United States

Lee McAlister Cooper

Born: October 6, 1972; Austin, TX United States

Married: September 13, 1997

Savanna Ray Cooper - Great Granddaughter

Born: September 7, 1999; Round Rock, TX United States

Lacey Ann Cooper - Great Granddaughter

Born: August 15, 2001; Round Rock, TX United States

Sherry Ann Brown - Granddaughter

Born: March 1, 1975; Arlington, TX United States

Married: October 20, 1995

Victoria Lynn Salter - Great Granddaughter

Born: October 24, 1995; Tyndall AFB, FL United States

Elizabeth Johanna Bauner Ashcroft -

Granddaughter

Born: October 31, 1988; Austin, TX United States

Chase Andrew Ashcroft

Born: July 10, 1984; Sacramento, CA United States

Married: November 8, 2014

Waldemar Adolpho Gonzales - Brother-in-law (Deceased)

Born: February 23, 1913; New Orleans, LA United States

Died: March 28, 1980; New Orleans, LA United States

Mary Amelia Benton - sister-in-law (Deceased)

Born: January 25, 1918; New Orleans, LA United States

Carolyn Marie Thomas - Niece

Born: January 28, 1942; San Antonio, TX United States

Ronald Rene' Gonzales - Nephew

Born: October 5, 1949; Southford, England United Kingdom

Richard Waldemar Gonzales - Nephew

Born: September 2, 1953; Holyoke, MA United States

Emmet Rene Gonzales Sr. - brother-in-law (Deceased)

Born: April 1, 1917; New Orleans, LA United States

Died: March 19, 2005; New Orleans, LA United States

Shirley Zimmerman - sister-in-law (Deceased)

Born: September 12, 1917; New Orleans, LA United States

Died: March 10, 1986; New Orleans, LA United States

Emmet Rene' Gonzales, Jr. - Nephew

Born: December 2, 1947; New Orleans, LA United States

Officiant: Rev. Robert Hildebrandt

PALL BEARERS: Raymond Gonzales, Jr., Michael Gonzales; Ronald Gonzales; Emmet Gonzales; Richard Gonzales; Chase Ashcroft

MUSIC: Wind Beneath my Wings by Bette Midler; Keg on My Coffin by Push Stars; Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Jacob Windstein (live performance); Amazing Grace by the Royal Scots Dragoon Guard.