Obituary for Yvonne Harris Bonds
JONES COUNTY: Olive Yvonne Harris Bonds was called home by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the early hours of Saturday, March 27, 2021. She passed away in Macon, Georgia, with her devoted husband Earl by her side, three months shy of their 62nd wedding anniversary.
The family will greet friends from 2:00pm - 3:00pm, Saturday, April 2, 2021, at First Baptist Church of Gray. Memorial services will follow at 3:00pm with Rev. Randy Darnell officiating. Inurnment will be at Cedar Ridge Cemetery.
She is survived by her husband, Earl Godfrey Bonds, Jr., son, Brian Scott Bonds, daughter-in-law, Denisha Louise Bonds, brothers Arthur James Harris (AJ and wife, Lou), TommyJoe Harris, and sister Paula Harris.
Born June 2, 1938, to Paul Clark Harris and Genie Alice Harris in Shreveport, Louisiana, Yvonne grew up in a large and loving family. In the fall of 1954, she met Earl on a hayride sponsored by Queensborough Baptist Church. They dated while attending Fairpark High School, graduating in 1956. Their romance continued in college at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana, leading to their wedding on June 27, 1959.
After Earl graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, the couple lived in multiple places including El Dorado, Arkansas, and Knoxville, Tennessee, where their son Scott was born in 1965. Shortly afterward they returned to Shreveport. Then in 1973, they moved to Gray, Georgia, where they settled permanently. They joined First Baptist Church of Gray and became very active.
Yvonne was friendly, kind, helpful, relatable, humble, down-to-earth, and very genuine. She quickly became involved in multiple ministries at the church and other activities in the community. As she did so, she built many strong and meaningful friendships and had a positive impact on most everyone she met. She poured her life into her family, both immediate and extended, her friends, the church, and even the family pets. She did so unselfishly and cheerfully, not out of obligation, but out of love and a delight in seeing other people uplifted.
From early childhood, she had a love of reading and learning. She read hundreds of books and thousands of articles. Both knowledgeable and perpetually curious, she was always eager to learn more about most any topic, especially if it was edifying. Though she saw her primary role to be maintaining the home, she was regularly involved in Earl’s work and businesses. Adaptable and calm, but very efficient, she managed a multitude of responsibilities and commitments with a grace that made it look easy. When Earl’s career led to working internationally, she proved to be equally comfortable with world travel in exotic locations as she was at home refinishing a piece of furniture in paint-splattered jeans.
Those who knew her best will remember her peaceful presence, gentle spirit, clever sense of humor, and desire to help. Her family will miss her terribly, but they will be sustained by the love she expressed continually in the way she lived her life.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the First Baptist Church of Gray Library, 134 W Clinton Street, Gray, Georgia 31032.
Gray Memorial Chapel is honored to be entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be made on our website at www.graymemorialchapel.com.
The family will greet friends from 2:00pm - 3:00pm, Saturday, April 2, 2021, at First Baptist Church of Gray. Memorial services will follow at 3:00pm with Rev. Randy Darnell officiating. Inurnment will be at Cedar Ridge Cemetery.
She is survived by her husband, Earl Godfrey Bonds, Jr., son, Brian Scott Bonds, daughter-in-law, Denisha Louise Bonds, brothers Arthur James Harris (AJ and wife, Lou), TommyJoe Harris, and sister Paula Harris.
Born June 2, 1938, to Paul Clark Harris and Genie Alice Harris in Shreveport, Louisiana, Yvonne grew up in a large and loving family. In the fall of 1954, she met Earl on a hayride sponsored by Queensborough Baptist Church. They dated while attending Fairpark High School, graduating in 1956. Their romance continued in college at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana, leading to their wedding on June 27, 1959.
After Earl graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, the couple lived in multiple places including El Dorado, Arkansas, and Knoxville, Tennessee, where their son Scott was born in 1965. Shortly afterward they returned to Shreveport. Then in 1973, they moved to Gray, Georgia, where they settled permanently. They joined First Baptist Church of Gray and became very active.
Yvonne was friendly, kind, helpful, relatable, humble, down-to-earth, and very genuine. She quickly became involved in multiple ministries at the church and other activities in the community. As she did so, she built many strong and meaningful friendships and had a positive impact on most everyone she met. She poured her life into her family, both immediate and extended, her friends, the church, and even the family pets. She did so unselfishly and cheerfully, not out of obligation, but out of love and a delight in seeing other people uplifted.
From early childhood, she had a love of reading and learning. She read hundreds of books and thousands of articles. Both knowledgeable and perpetually curious, she was always eager to learn more about most any topic, especially if it was edifying. Though she saw her primary role to be maintaining the home, she was regularly involved in Earl’s work and businesses. Adaptable and calm, but very efficient, she managed a multitude of responsibilities and commitments with a grace that made it look easy. When Earl’s career led to working internationally, she proved to be equally comfortable with world travel in exotic locations as she was at home refinishing a piece of furniture in paint-splattered jeans.
Those who knew her best will remember her peaceful presence, gentle spirit, clever sense of humor, and desire to help. Her family will miss her terribly, but they will be sustained by the love she expressed continually in the way she lived her life.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the First Baptist Church of Gray Library, 134 W Clinton Street, Gray, Georgia 31032.
Gray Memorial Chapel is honored to be entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be made on our website at www.graymemorialchapel.com.