Bonnie Lou Troxell

Bonnie Lou Troxell, age 85, passed away February 5, 2023, with loved ones by her side. She is survived by her three children: Allison Scharr (daughter), Joe Troxell (son), and Kim Lamey (daughter). Bonnie also leaves behind six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Her beloved husband, Richard Troxell, of 62 years, passed almost a year prior.

Bonnie was born on July 13, 1937, in Cape Girardeau, MO, to Eula Mae and Wilbur Earl Chapman. She attended public schools in Missouri, then went on to attend Illinois College where she met the love of her life, Richard. Bonnie graduated in 1957 with a degree in Education. She and Richard were married on June 11, 1958.

Bonnie loved words, both spoken and written. Many of her jobs and passions in life revolved around words. As a child and on throughout her life, Bonnie loved reading the Bible and memorizing Scripture. After graduating from Illinois College, she became a Junior High English teacher for several years in Illinois. After having their first daughter in 1962, Bonnie became a devoted stay at home Mom, who still found time to read for herself and to her children. Her love for words were most captured in her passion for poetry. Bonnie wrote and published a poetry book in 1976, which highlighted many aspects of her young children’s lives and being a wife and mother. She sold the books, and later gifted them to any friends who also expressed love for poetry.

In 1979, after experiencing an ice storm in their town of Springfield Illinois, the family moved to Scottsdale, Arizona. Here, Bonnie and Richard made a new life for their family. She continued to use her love for words as she volunteered at her children’s schools as a room mother or teaching her daughter’s classmates about famous paintings through the Art Masterpiece program. Bonnie was always ready to have a conversation with anyone she was with, and she also was a good listener. Using that gift, she became an Avon Lady during the early 1980’s. Sitting with neighbors, chatting and listening to the stories of their lives, her neighbors quickly became her friends. Bonnie kept in touch with people all her life: her first grade teacher, friends from college and early teaching years, and relatives scattered across the country through email, letters, and phone calls.

As her children continued to grow, Bonnie busied herself in selling Avon and taking care of her family. Her love of words continued as she enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, a good game of Scrabble, and gleaning useful information from newspapers or the internet that she shared with others. She also learned to crochet many beautiful afghans and needlepoint Christmas decorations and ornaments.

Richard and Bonnie were active in their church, First Baptist of Tempe. Here, Bonnie attended weekly gatherings. As she continued to meet women, she joined the Red Hats Society in 2002, and along with a dear friend, started a new chapter of the organization. She enjoyed getting together with friends as they wore red and purple, meeting for lunches, parties, activities, and volunteering.

Bonnie continued to write poetry through the years about family, the Red Hats Society and best of all, her love for Jesus. Her faith in Jesus ran deep, and she would often say of trusting in Him at the age of 8, “it was the best thing of all.” She would be the first one to admit that she was always learning about His love. She trusted Him as her Savior, and that has brought comfort to her family as they know she is with Christ today. Her legacy of listening, loving, and learning will be carried on by her family. She will be missed greatly, but they will be reunited again someday.