Bonnie Lee Ware

Bonnie Lee Ware peacefully passed in her sleep on Saturday, September 16, 2017, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Bonnie was born on the Cherokee, Texas family farm on October 4, 1923. At Cherokee Baptist Church she played the piano and sang duets with her sister, Maxine, and in small group ensembles with other friends. She also helped her father harvest crops on the family farm. After graduating from Cherokee High School, she attended Southwest Texas State Teacher’s College in San Marcos, Texas and graduated in 1944 with a teaching degree. After graduation she moved to Waco where she worked as a secretary at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church for many years. She met Tom, her husband, at the church and they married on August 3, 1952. As a member of Columbus Avenue Baptist Church for over 60 years, she was an active member of the Margaret Mixon Sunday School Class and sang in the church choir. In her later years, she was a member of the Columbus Avenue Baptist Church senior choir and a member of the Baylor Singing Seniors. She began her teaching career in 1954 and taught at Hillcrest Elementary School. While teaching she obtained a Master’s Degree in Library Science from Baylor University. She continued her career at the Waco Independent School District as a librarian at Viking Hills Elementary. She retired in 1984 after 30 years of service. Bonnie was an avid gardener and her yard always flourished with geraniums and begonias. She loved watching the cardinals outside her kitchen window at the birdfeeder. Bridge was an important part of her social life. Bonnie and Tom had many friends and entertained often at their house overlooking Lake Waco. She loved to travel both in the Unites States and abroad. The Stagecoach Inn at Salado, Texas was a favorite destination with her close friends and family. Bonnie is preceded in death by her parents, George W. Broyles and Mamie Pearl Broyles; sister, Maxine Alvina Broyles; and by her husband, Thomas Lea Ware. Bonnie is survived by her daughter, Ann Ware May (Steve) of Madison, MS; step-daughter Dulce Lea Brasby (Bill) of Goose Creek, SC; seven grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. A celebration of Bonnie’s life will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, September 23, 2017 at Waco Memorial Park in Waco Texas. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Friday, September 22 at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Columbus Avenue Baptist Church choir. The family invites you to leave a message or memory on the “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.