Donna Dell Bradley Bonner Garner, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend peacefully passed away on September 28 after a courageous battle with lung cancer. Donna was born April 11, 1932, in Hockley County in West Texas to Ellis and Odell Bradley. Her family eventually moved to the Corpus Christi area. She met Robert Hughes Bonner at Del Mar Junior College, and they married in 1951. Donna and Bob raised a family, and while living in Temple, Texas, Donna had the opportunity to return to college. She graduated from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in 1975 with a teaching degree in home economics and early childhood. She later worked as a Kindergarten teacher at Hopper Primary School in Highlands.  Bob was ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church in 1960, and Donna devoutly served alongside him in several communities until his death in 1993.

 Donna loved the Lord with all her heart and remained active at Trinity Episcopal Church in Baytown by serving on various ministries and committees, such as the Vestry, Choir, St. Cecilia’s and Altar Guild, Christian Education, Helping Hands, Stewardship, and numerous other groups. She also was an active member of the PEO Organization, in which she held many offices.

In 1998 Donna married Gary Garner of Baytown and enjoyed a wonderful life with him full of traveling, shopping, theater outings, family gatherings, and church events. They were also members of the Goose Creek Country Club. Donna cherished spending time with her friends and family and had an exceptional talent for making everyone in her presence feel important. She was artistic and employed creative skills as an expert seamstress, exceptional cook, and choral singer. Among the many things she enjoyed, she created personalized scrapbooks for her grandchildren, leaving a gift of legacy for them to honor their family history.

          Donna was preceded in death by her parents; brother Terry Bradley; husband the Rev. Robert Bonner; and grandson William Brice Bonner. She is survived by her husband Gary Garner; sister-in-law Nancy Garner; sons Paul and Bruce Bonner and their wives Sarah and Kathryn; daughter Marie Butler and husband Jeffrey; grandchildren: Andy Bonner and wife Pamela; George Bonner; Tabitha Zgabay and husband Gerald; Kellie Ann Kaiser and husband Chase; Thomas Currie and wife Jaime; Robert Currie; and Melanie Butler; and great-grandchildren: Elizabeth, Abigail, Zaden, Zenli, Brody, Brynn, and Robert. She is also survived by Gary’s children: Paul Garner and wife Sherry; Kathleen Butler and husband John David; grandchildren: Madison, Mason, Makensie, and Mallorie Garner; Jessica, Gretchen, and Wyatt Butler; and great-grandchild: Liam.

          A memorial service celebrating Donna’s life will be held at eleven o’clock in the morning on Saturday, the 28th of October at Trinity Episcopal Church, 5010 N. Main Street in Baytown. The Rt. Rev. Jim Folts, retired bishop of the Diocese of West Texas, will officiate. Immediately following the service, all are invited to join the family for a luncheon in the adjacent Bonner Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Donna Garner may be made to Helping Hands Prayer Blanket Ministry of Trinity Episcopal or any charity of your choice.

The family would like to express their appreciation for the attentive team at Heart to Heart Hospice. Donna received expert care and graceful compassion from the entire staff. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Crespo and Jirrels Funeral and Cremation Services in Baytown, Texas.

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