Bonnie Blades Allen

Bonnie was born in Houston on the 17th of January 1931, to Agnes Mills Blades and William Hamlet Blades. She attended Poe Elementary, Sidney Lanier Junior High School, Lamar High School, Sullins College in Bristol, Virginia, and then the University of Texas where she was a member of the TriDelta sorority.

She met her husband George in their seventh grade homeroom, and the two of them had a “love story” for the ages. Bonnie and George married on the 5th of June, 1953, at St. Paul’s Methodist Church and enjoyed 69 years of marriage.

Bonnie’s loves were gardening and collecting antiques. With her dear friend Jackie Gaylord Anderson, Bonnie took many trips to London and through the English countryside in search of special treasures. They began an antique accessories business called “Something Special” that brought them many years of pleasure and fun. In addition to their business, they had their antiques for sale through Cindy Peters of Blossoms Floral. “Flowers and antiques were a perfect marriage,” Bonnie would say.

She was a member of the Junior League of Houston and River Oaks Garden Club, where she cherished her time working in the “white garden” at Bayou Bend.

Bonnie shared with George a lifelong love for the UT Longhorns, She enjoyed driving George’s hunting truck as they searched for the perfect covey during their many hunts in South Texas. Bonnie and George’s “Covey Up” party at Joyce’s following bird season and coinciding with Texas Independence Day was an annual highlight. Francisco Ruiz, owner of Joyce’s restaurant, enthusiastically helped Bonnie and George plan a delightful evening each year for their cherished friends.

Near to Bonnie’s heart was her family’s beloved home on the Comal River in New Braunfels, Texas. The river was home to the happiest memories of her youth and splendid summers watching her family grow.

Bonnie is predeceased by her husband George Nelson Allen, Jr.; her parents; her brother, Joseph Hamlet Blades; and her sister, Betty Blades Reed. She is survived by her daughters, Melinda Allen Abell and her husband Joseph Miles Abell III of Houston and Amy Allen Roam of Austin; and son George Nelson Allen III and his wife Candice Wilson Allen of New Braunfels. She is also survived by four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, Bonnie Abell Muecke and her husband Mark Walter Muecke, and their children Lillie, Olivia, and Walt of San Antonio; Joseph Miles Abell IV and his wife Katherine Davis Abell, and their son George of Austin; Amanda Roam Ratliff and her husband, Eric Ratliff, and their children Kinsley and Logan of Austin; and Elizabeth Ashley Roam of Huntsville, Alabama; and by numerous nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank Belmont Village Senior Living Hunters Creek for their friendship and care to Bonnie and George for the last five years as well as Crossroads Hospice for their devotion and most recent care.

A memorial service is to be conducted at three o’clock in the afternoon on Monday, the 26th of September, at the Church of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Boulevard in Houston, where the Rev. Dr. R. Leigh Spruill, Rector, and The Rev. Dr. Douglas Richnow, Priest Associate, will officiate.

Immediately following, all are invited to join the family during a reception in the adjacent Sumners Hall.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Bonnie’s name be directed to the Church of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77019; River Oaks Garden Club, 2503 Westheimer, Houston, TX, 77098; or to Headwaters of the Comal, 333 East Klingemann Street, New Braunfels, Texas 78130

Bonnie will be remembered by all for her kindness, elegance, and of course her charming wit that could lighten any mood.

For those unable to attend in-person, you may join the livestream of the service by selecting the “Join Livestream” icon in the “Services” section. While there you are invited to share with her family fond memories and words of comfort and condolence by selecting the “Add A Memory icon.