Bonnie Gay Turner

Bonnie Gay Twilley Turner, born August 11, 1929, passed away peacefully on May 3, 2013, holding the hand of her beloved husband of almost 64 years and surrounded by her family. Born in Magnolia, AL, she was one of the seven children of Essie and Alonzo Twilley. After graduating from Magnolia High School in 1946 and having no interest in farming, she moved to Mobile looking for new opportunities and, more importantly, love. She soon found the latter when she met the love of her life, a sailor who had just returned home after serving in World War II, J.G. “Dude” Turner. They were married on June 18, 1949 and were looking forward to celebrating their 64th wedding anniversary.

Always a source and example of true grace, Bonnie had a lifelong passion for children. A doting mother, she always lived within sight of her only child, Linda “Lou” Smith. She relished her role as a grandmother and a great-grandmother and will forever remain their beloved “Day Day.” She always enjoyed cooking for others, so her love was often served in heaping portions. The unconscious appetites of her friends and family will always be searching for a pale imitation of her cooking and dutifully following her instruction to “have another plate.”

Bonnie and her husband were the former owners of Tooley Myron Studios. She was pleased to be the first photographer to bring Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny to Bel Air Mall. She also thoroughly enjoyed using her connections with Santa to make Christmas unforgettable for her daughter and grandchildren.

Bonnie had many hobbies. She loved to travel with her husband and friends. She had an impressive green thumb. Her home garden always produced a bounty that she was happy to share. Her flowers always inspired jealousy. Although she claimed to share the secrets to her gardening success, the only thing that could be duplicated was her wry smile in response to inferior results.

Bonnie was a member of Kingswood United Methodist Church, the Dorcus Circle United Methodist Women’s Group, the Keenagers, and her beloved Sunday school group. She loved to serve; she detested talking about it.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her three brothers and two of her sisters. She is survived by her husband, Dude; her sister, Hilda Harrington; her daughter, Linda “Lou” (David Donald “Don”) Smith; her three grandchildren, Jennifer (Larry) Fulford, Jay (Caroline) Ezelle, and Brandi Smith; her five great-grandchildren, Payton-Brooke Fulford, Trenton Fulford, Helen Ezelle, Turner Ezelle, and Elizabeth Ezelle; and many other loving family and friends.

Funeral services will be held from the chapel of Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 7, 2013, at 2p.m. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday, May 6, from 5-8 p.m. Interment will be in Mobile Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to Kingswood United Methodist Church, 5200 Perin Road, Mobile, AL, 36693 or to Honor Flight South Alabama, P.O. Box 7406, Spanish Fort, AL 36577. Condolences may be offered at www.mmgfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 6040 Three Notch Road, Mobile, Alabama 36619.