Bonnie Mae Allen

Bonnie was born February 22, 1945, to Francis and Bettie (Hutchison) Curtis in Taft, California. Francis later married Frances Marie Davis who became "Mom" to Bonnie. Always a diligent worker, Bonnie had quite an assortment of jobs over the years. At the age of nine, she helped her Uncle Joe in the fields spreading manure, and at 13, worked for $1.00 an hour, taking ropes off cattle. Her sophomore year at East Bakersfield High School, Bonnie worked for Farmers Insurance, answering phone calls, and working in the office. In her mid-20's Bonnie worked for Kern Rug, then with her sister Judy at Motor City, managing the switchboard and taking care of inventory control. Among other occupations, Bonnie was at one time a bookkeeper for Watson Real Estate. She also enjoyed working in oilfield services, and for North Kern Machinery, West Kern Machinery, D.M. Camp and Sons, and a favorite job, John Deere.

At the age of 16, Bonnie could be found racing her first car, a 1953 Ford, on private back roads and Chester Avenue. While she never got a ticket for racing, she did get her first ticket for running a stop sign at a dead end! In everything she did, Bonnie only had one speed – fast.

Bonnie married Michael Ray Hinds in 1963. Together they had two children, Ron Hinds and John Hinds. Among other family activities, they all enjoyed riding motorcycles.

In 1983, Bonnie met Jay Allen at the Funny Farm, a place for dancing and dance lessons. Encouraged by her friend Carol, Bonnie taught Jay to dance. After four months, Bonnie and Jay went to Las Vegas where they were married on June 25, 1983, a marriage which lasted 25 years, until Jay's death in 2008. They moved to Taylor, Texas where Bonnie studied real estate and achieved her Texas Real Estate license, while also working at Sears. In 1985, they moved back to Bakersfield (Bonnie hated the Texas bugs) where she obtained her California Real Estate license.

For a number of years, Bonnie was also conservator, and took loving care of her cousin, JoJo, who was disabled from birth.

Bonnie was not impressed with retirement, and in 2015 began working at Doughty-Calhoun-O'Meara, where she remained until her health prevented her from working any longer. Her desire, and that of her co-workers, was for her to be able to return to work, but sadly, that was not to be.

Bonnie is survived by sons, Ron (Kathy) Hinds and John Hinds, four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends. Bonnie was also a loving grandmother to Jay Allen's grandchildren.

Services will be held Friday, August 9th at 9:00 a.m. in Hillcrest Chapel, followed by a graveside at 10:00 a.m. Following the graveside there will be a Celebration of Life at First Missionary Baptist Church, 1421 Wilson Avenue, Bakersfield, 93308.