Bonnie was born in Portsmouth, Virginia on April 29, 1950 to the late Lewis Milton Moseley and the late Doris Rita Horner Moseley. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 47 years, W. Carlyle Savelle II, who died in 2019, and by two daughters, Mary Promise, and Sarah Joy. Her faith in God, her trust in Him, sustained her during those terrible losses and through her own health issues. She was a long-time member of Suburban Christian Church in Kempsville.
Bonnie grew up in Cradock and Churchland, graduating from Churchland High School in 1968.
She attended Longwood College, now University, where she majored in art. She was a gifted artist and craftsperson, who freely shared these gifts with family, friends, her church family, and others. Her murals have graced many walls, in homes, churches, and businesses. And her wide variety of hand crafts have blessed many ministries as well as her family and friends.
Bonnie’s love for children was a passion that defined her life, beginning with her own children, but extending to many years of loving service to the children’s ministry of Suburban Christian Church, as well as to Young Life Virginia Beach, Union Mission, and Operation Christmas Child.
A dedicated student and researcher, Bonnie participated in many group Bible studies through the years, including a local Community Bible Study. She was a voracious reader and her copious notebooks and journals attest to her insight and scholarship. She enjoyed researching her birth family history, as well as that of her husband’s family, and enjoyed documenting some of that history in scrapbooks.
Bonnie is lovingly remembered by her children, Beth Savelle Voorhees, and her husband, John Voorhees, Paul Savelle and Wendy Savelle; seven grandchildren, Andrew, Carly, Luke and Nathan Voorhees, and Hannah, Michael and Chloe Savelle; sister, Peggy Moseley Mehaffey, and her husband, Billy; brother, Timothy Lee Moseley; sister-in-law Barbara S. Desler; and numerous nieces, nephews, and great-nephews.
A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, August 1, at Smith & Williams Funeral Home in Kempsville.
A celebration of life service will be conducted at 11:30 a.m., Friday, August 2, at Suburban Christian Church in Virginia Beach. A graveside service will immediately follow the funeral service in Colonial Grove Memorial Park.
In Lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice in Bonnie’s name.
