Bonnie Lee Whitaker Garner, age 81, of Vass, NC, went home to be with our Lord and Savior, peacefully surrounded by her family at First Health Hospice House, Monday, October 26, 2026.
Bonnie was the daughter of the late Elmer E. Whitaker and Oma Ann Campbell Whitaker. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Rev. Darrell N Garner, sisters, Shirley W. Walsh, Sybil W. Garner, Wanda W. Garner, brothers, Wilton Ray Whitaker and Roy M. Whitaker.
Bonnie was blessed with, loved and loved by three children, Melissa Garner McKenzie and her husband, Douglas McKenzie, Thomas Darrell Garner and his wife, Kelly Cotten Garner and Tammy Garner Trueblood, and her husband Mark Trueblood; ten grandchildren, Elizabeth McKenzie Baddour, husband Michael, Jessica McKenzie Curlee and husband Paul, Christi Harmon Shaw and husband Eric, Sarah Melissa Cebra and husband Ian, Sawyer Garner, Rachel Trueblood Fann and husband Brandon, Zachary Trueblood, Nathan Trueblood and fiancé Stephanie Flores, Noah Trueblood and Courtney Wilson; nine great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren as well as beloved extra children, Ronnie Kiser, Cynthia Kiser Heath and Scott Kiser. Bonnie is also survived by her sisters, Janet Whitaker Frye, Lucille Whitaker Collins, husband Billy, Gail Whitaker Gathagan, husband Gene, brother, Russell Whitaker, wife Mary Ruth, brother-in-law Robert E. Garner and wife Bobbie, sister-in-law Betty Gibbons Garner, and many beloved nieces, nephews and extended family that loved her very much.
Bonnie was a self-employed childcare provider as well as homemaker for her career, caring for and loving dozens of children from babies to pre-teens for decades. So many children in her loving home referred to her as Momma Bonnie and they remained in her heart throughout their lives as well. She especially loved the many years taking care of her own grandchildren and was passionate about feeding her family at which she was abundantly skilled. As a Pastor’s Wife, she was a blessing to her husband and to the many loved Church members at Pine Cone Baptist Church, Rainbow Baptist Church and 38 years at Hickory Grove Baptist Church, Bear Creek, NC.
Bonnie received Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior as a young adult at Yates-Thagard Baptist Church and lived a life sharing much love to so many.
A special thank you is extended to her special caregivers, Gidget Pulley and Tina Cochrane, who took such wonderful care of her, along with her husband, Darrell, and children, for the years following her dementia illness and stroke. And Thanks be to God our Savior for His abundant Grace and Love that endures forever.
A visitation will be held Friday, October 30, 2026, from 12:30 – 2:00 PM at Yates-Thagard Baptist Church, 3820 Vass-Carthage Road, Carthage, NC 28327, followed by a Celebration of Life at 2:00 PM. The Burial will follow at Yates-Thagard Baptist Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Gideon’s International, Lee County, NC Camp.
Condolences may be sent to www.coxmemorialfuneralhome.com.
The family has entrusted services to Cox Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory of Vass.
