Barbara Joyce Bracewell Bonner, wife of Memphis television pioneer, Alex Bonner, went to sleep and woke up in heaven on Thursday, August 3, 2023. She was 90. Born November 15, 1932, she was a native Memphian, attending St. Mary's Episcopal School for Girls, and graduating from Tech High School the year that the original St. Mary's School closed. She attended the University of Memphis, where she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. While in college, she won beauty pageants, including Miss Fire Prevention and Miss Southern Belle, through which she was awarded a trip to Europe and a movie contract. Rather than a life in Hollywood, she chose to marry the love of her life, Alex Bonner. She was devoted to him and their four children. She was successful in her endeavors. A Realtor in the 1970's, she was admitted into the Million Dollar Sales Club in her first year. She returned to college in the 1960's and 1970's, with portions of her college career contemporaneous with that of her children. An amateur painter and writer, she painted many family portraits which grace the homes of her children and grandchildren. She wrote short stories that her children treasure. Mrs. Bonner was a devoted follower and believer in Jesus Christ and a faithful member of Bellevue Baptist Church, supporting the Love Worth Finding Television Ministry, almost since its inception. She was preceded in death by her husband, Odie Alex Bonner; her eldest son, Odie Alex "Lex" Bonner, Jr.; her mother, Roberta Renshaw Bracewell; her father, Clyde Edwin Bracewell and her brother, Paul Bracewell. Mrs. Bonner leaves behind her children, Dawn Bonner O'Connor, Clyde Edwin "Win" Bonner and Brett Bracewell Bonner and his wife, Charmaine Bonner. Mrs. Bonner's grandchildren and great grandchildren include Brittain O'Connor Sanders and her husband, Kindle Wayne Sanders and their son, Alex Wayne Sanders; Brett Gardner Bonner and his wife, Jennifer Bonner, and their daughter, Abigail Bonner; Brooke Bonner Bell and her husband, Brian Bell and their daughter, Corinne Bell; and Win's two daughters, Morgan Bonner and Evan Bonner. High Point Funeral Home, 3788 Summer Avenue, has charge. The family requests that donations be made in Mrs. Bonner's honor to Love Worth Finding Ministries, LWF.org, or at 2941 Kate Bond Rd., Memphis, TN 38133.

Visitation Tuesday, September 12th 2023 11:00 to noon followed by services from noon to 1:00. High Point Chapel, 3788 Summer Ave. Memphis, Tennessee 38122