Mrs. Inez Pierce Bonner

Obituary For Mrs. Inez Pierce Bonner

Mrs. Inez Bonner, 75, of Gadsden, passed away on March 18, 2024.

We ask that you please keep this family in your prayers during their time of bereavement.

Inez (Pierce) Bonner, the twelfth of fifteen children, was born to the late James Pierce, Sr. and the late Joanna Marshall Pierce on April 24, 1948, in Gadsden, Alabama. She was educated in the Gadsden School System, having graduated from Carver High School in 1966. Shortly thereafter she earned an associate degree at Gadsden State Community College.

She accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior at an early age and was a lifelong member of His Baptist Church. (For the past twenty years, she was a faithful and dedicated member of the Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in Gadsden, Alabama.)

In 1968, she was united in holy matrimony to Joe I. Bonner. From within their union three sons were raised. In the early 1970’s she and her husband moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where she pursued a career in the telecommunications field. During her more than 30 plus years with AT&T, (formerly Ameritech/Wisconsin Bell Telephone Company) she acquired a host of life-long friends, acquaintances and associates who frequently brought her joy alongside her journey as a wife, mother and confidant. In 2003 she formally retired and moved back south to devote her time to more altruistic endeavors.

Upon her return to her hometown of Gadsden, Alabama, Mrs. Bonner frequently dedicated her time and service to her church, family and friends while still finding the time to play a pivotal role in her community and serve in a leadership position with her High School Class. Among other things, she served as Secretary at Bethlehem Baptist Church, caregiver to several ailing family members, Treasurer of the Carver Class of 1966 Committee and Poll Worker for scores of national and local elections. She even spent some time as a substitute teacher in Gadsden’s school system.

Despite her busy schedule, Mrs. Bonner found the time to be a listening ear to those who needed it, a comforting heart to those who required it and a kind soul to those who desired it. Mrs. Bonner was a loving, caring, giving and thoughtful mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She was an avid homemaker and enjoyed cooking and hosting family dinners on the holidays. (Christmas was one of her favorite times of year.) She enjoyed reading in her spare time, and further enjoyed traveling and planning both trips & local events for her family and friends. For many years, she helped to facilitate the recurring Pierce Family Reunion.

Mrs. Bonner will be remembered as a selfless God-fearing and praying woman -- someone who could be trusted and confided in. Because of her God-given wisdom and no-nonsense approach to life, many would look to her for insight, counsel and advice. She always maintained that things should be done “decently and in order.”

In recent times, Mrs. Bonner spearheaded numerous Breast Cancer awareness programs, taking the lead in organizing and working behind the scenes to increase public mindfulness about the issue. Subsequently, after her own noble five-year fight with the illness, Mrs. Bonner made her peaceful transition to being with the Lord on Monday night, March 18, 2024. She was surrounded by her children, her family and close friends.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother: James Pierce, Sr. and Joanna Marshall Pierce; by three brothers: J. C. Pierce, Thomas Pierce and Rev. Willie J. Pierce; and by six sisters: Patricia Pierce (in infancy), Margaret L. Pierce, Barbara Pierce King, Naomi Pierce Ash, Bettye Ann Pierce Duncan, and Annie Ruth Pierce Hollanquest.

Mrs. Inez Pierce Bonner -- who will always be in the hearts of those whom she impacted with steadfast love -- is survived by three sons: Byron R. Bonner of Fairburn, GA; Bronson R. Bonner, and Brandon R. Bonner of Milwaukee, WI; three grandchildren: Byron R. Bonner, Jr., Caleb A. Bonner, and Naomi C. Bonner of Milwaukee, WI; two great-grandchildren: Byron R. Bonner, III and Terriyon J. Bonner of Milwaukee, WI; two brothers: James Pierce, Jr. (Betty) and Robert L. Pierce (Bettie); and three sisters: Debra Pierce Spears (Tony) of Gadsden, Alabama; Annie Jo Pierce Bridges (Rufus) of Decatur, Georgia; and Alice Pierce Simmons (Johnny) of Jonesboro, Georgia. She is further loved, cherished, and will be greatly missed by a vast host of nieces, nephews, cousins, church members, classmates, neighbors and friends.

Public Viewing will be held on Friday, March 29, 2024 from 4pm-7pm.

Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, March 30, 2024 at Bethlehem Baptist Church at 1pm.

Eulogist: Pastor Darrell Davis

Interment: Oaklawn Cemetery

Arrangements under the direction of West Gadsden Funeral Home. 256-549-0004

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