Bonnie Nell Neal went to be with the Lord on early Wednesday morning, March 26th at Baylor Scott and White Hospital in College Station, Texas. She was a beloved daughter, wife, mother, friend and teacher.
Bonnie was born November 17, 1946, in Belton, Texas to parents Ed and Daurice Yarbrough and later, daughter to Jim Bowmer. She grew up in Temple where she lived for most of her life, marrying David Simmonds at a young age, becoming a mom to Scott and Dan. In 1976 Bonnie married Larry Neal and they had two children, Brian and Julie. She attended SMU and later graduated from Mary Hardin Baylor and became a math teacher, a profession that would give her the opportunity to impact the lives of students for the next 40 years. Primarily teaching math at Temple High School, her alma mater (class of 1965), she eventually had the joy of teaching each of her children in her Calculus class. She loved each of her students and cared deeply about their successes. She spent many a late night around the kitchen island tutoring or counseling her students. During her years in Temple, Bonnie was a member of First Baptist Church. The last decade of her life she lived in College Station, Texas to be near her grandkids. Bonnie was a lover of animals and spoiled them throughout every season of her life.
Bonnie found eternal peace alongside her parents, James Edmund Yarbrough, Jim Dewitt Bowmer and Daurice Spoontz Bowmer as well as her granddaughter, Marli Simmonds. She is survived by her sister, Mary Helen Schriener. Bonnie is also survived by her four children: Scott Edmond Simmonds (57), Dan Dewitt Simmonds, (53) and wife Kimberly, Brian Allen Neal (47) and Julie Daurice Dickerson (45) and husband Sam. She found great joy sharing life with her beautiful grandchildren: Abigail Marie Simmonds (27), Jacqueline Nell Simmonds (23), Colton Bowmer Simmonds (26), Carlie Lorene Simmonds (23), Cade Dewitt Simmonds (17), Sabrina Chanel Cowart (22), Tucker Jackson Neal (21), Avery Hannah Neal (18), Annie Elizabeth Dickerson (19), Hudson Neal Dickerson (18), Henry Samuel Dickerson (15) and Levi James Dickerson (14). She loved fiercely and her passion and spirit will be missed dearly by all those who know and love her.
Bonnie’s life will be remembered and celebrated on Saturday April 5th at 11am at Scanio-Harper funeral home.
Donations may be made in memory of Bonnie to the Temple High School Endowed 1965 Scholarship through the Temple Education Foundation.
