Bonita Kay (Danby) Eddings

Bonnie Eddings, beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to many went home to Jesus on Friday, March 10, 2023 ending a lengthy battle with Dementia. Born Sunday, Dec 15,1940 as the 2nd oldest of Bob and Lorena Danby's 4 children, Bonnie grew up in Southern Illinois and graduated from Southern Illinois University in Secondary Education in June 1963. She married her life partner, Jim Eddings, Sunday, Dec 29, 1963 while Jim was stationed at Kirtland AFB and taught 2nd grade that year at Collet Park Elementary. Bonnie was a warm and friendly woman with a vibrant out-going personality. She loved her family, friends, and volunteer activities and was always delighted to be with young children and small animals.

Bonnie and Jim were blessed with 3 children; Cristy Bratton (Wes), Scott Eddings (Lena), and Michelle Williamson (Mark); and 9 grandchildren, Amanda and Lisa Bratton, Ari Jo Eddings Harwood (Katon), Jak, Peli, and Tali Eddings, and Nikki, Gregory, and Lauren Williamson; and one great granddaughter, Eva Jo Harwood. Nini, as she was lovingly called by her 9 grandchildren, was a fantastic grandmother who gave unconditional love and cherished every moment with her grandkids. She delighted in planning fun events for the whole family. One of the most memorable traditions she created was an annual family birthday party, creating a specific time to celebrate all the family's birthdays on one day all together with token gifts, special activities, and amazing food.

Bonnie was a gifted and proud Air Force wife who deftly handled all the familial duties during Jim's 3 overseas remote deployments. She managed the countless responsibilities of being a commander's wife with great skill and confidence while Jim was the Base Engineer at Kirtland AFB 1983-1987. While on that assignment, she embraced the challenge and excelled as the President of the Officers' Wives' Club. Bonnie was an excellent cook who enjoyed entertaining friends and delighted in trying out new recipes with her guests. She participated in the local chapter of the Retired Officers' Wives' Club, was on the Board of the Military Officers Association of America, played bridge regularly with a group, and was a former member and President of the Assistance League of Albuquerque.

One of her most important acts of service was teaching Sunday School for several years. In her later years she was an active member of St. Stephen's United Methodist Church serving on several committees, as the lead usher for the 8:00 a.m. service, and assisting with Vacation Bible School and Sunday School classes.

In addition to her immediate family, she is survived by her siblings Sharon and Mike Williams, Mark and Linda (Eddings) Danby, Bobby and Paula Danby, Jean (Eddings) Koepke and Carolee (Eddings) Wheatcroft along with numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Stephen's United Methodist Church in Albuquerque, NM. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations be made to the Brehm Preparatory School in Carbondale, IL (www.brehm.org), the Special Ops Warrior Foundation (https://specialops.org) or any charity supporting veterans or children.


 

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