History of
the
By: Ruth Bonner Dicks
The
All
ten of their children are interred there with the exception of two:
Seaborn
Bonner, Jr. is buried at
In
late 1930 Seaborn E. and Viola McMillan Bonner were instrumental in getting
Memorial Services held at the cemetery each year the second Sunday in May. This
created interest and the descendants met each year to prepare the cemetery for
this service.
In
1959 Gleney B. Bonner graciously donated more land adjacent to the cemetery
which was cleared and landscaped to enlarge the cemetery and give ample space
for parking, with a circling drive through the cemetery. The cemetery and
parking area comprise three acres.
On
May 7, l964 a double monument was purchased for Seaborn and Mary Bonner’s grave.
In
1965 a planning committee was formed: namely Odell Davidson, Coleman Newton,
Dave Casey, Tony Doggette, Gleney B. Bonner, C. L. Thompson, Slater Jackson,
Douglas Jackson, Biniam Gilbert and Seth E. Bonner with Seth E. Bonner as
chairman. Mrs. Edith Barefield was elected secretary
and treasurer, and Ruth B. Dicks the assistant under Seth E. Bonner's
leadership. He also supervised the mowing of the cemetery.
A
pavilion or tabernacle was erected in 1967 with a dirt floor. In 1970, due to
Seth E. Bonner's failing health, Gleney B. Bonner was elected to serve as
President of the Bonner Memorial Association. Under the leadership of Gleney B. Bonner and his committee of Dan Cook, C. L.
Thompson and P. M. Dicks, Jr. a slab was poured for the tabernacle and an
addition was built on the north side to house the tables. This project was
completed in July 1971.
Due
to ill health, Mrs. Edith Barefield resigned as secretary and treasurer and.
Ruth B. Dicks was elected.
The
Historical Bonner Granite Marker was erected on the northeast corner of the
cemetery in memory of Seaborn and. Mary Bonner in l975.
In
April 1977 a savings fund was set up for the future perpetual care of the
cemetery. This fund is growing. The association has an operating fund to
maintain the cemetery. These funds are made available by free will offerings.
The
following descendents of Seaborn and Mary Bonner have conducted services there:
Rev. Andy L. Bonner (now deceased), Mr. Gleney B. Bonner, Rev. Eddie Broadhead,
and Rev. Hermese Broadhead, Rev. William P. Bonner (son of the late Rev. Andy
L. Bonner). Mr. C. L. Thompson and his committee prepare a splendid program
each year. Miss Estelle Bonner and Mrs. Hilda B. Speed are responsible for the
bulletins.
In
1978 Gerry S. Bonner and Marcus R. Bonner, sons of the late Seth E. Bonner,
were elected to serve in his place.
Rev.
Hermese Broadhead graciously donated a piano to the association and assisted
the committee in preparing a place to store it, Miss
Estelle Bonner donated 140 folding steel chairs to the association, which helps
to provide ample seating.
In
May l975, the dedication of the Historical Granite Marker was held. A brief
history of Seaborn Bonner, Sr was read by Marcus R. Bonner. Hubert Bonner, a
sole surviving grandson of Seaborn Bonner, and Marcus H. Bonner unveiled the marker.
Rev. Eddie Broadhead, great, great, great, grandson
gave the invocation.
In December 1983, under the leadership. of Gleney B. Bonner, a
chain-link fence was erected around the cemetery. Mr. Sammie Bonner operated the
county bulldozer and prepared the ground for the fence. Slater Jackson assisted
in preparing the ground for the fence.
Gleney
B. Bonner and wife Mildred K. Bonner gave land for a parking lot at the north
entrance to the cemetery.
Donated for
publication by The Choctaw County Genealogical Society
by Louise Cook