Bonita “Bonnie” Lee Humphrey
Born July 6, 1944 Casper, WY and died in Tuscon, AZ March 27,2019.
Bonnie came into this world as a fighter and left the same way but, “On the Wings of a Dove”, surrounded by her family. Bonnie was very devoted to her music. Music was her life starting from a very young age. Bonnie could play multiple instruments and sing. Her music has touched a lot of lives through her years. Two of Bonnie’s goals in life was to play on the Grand Old Opry and to meet Gene Watson. Bonnie accomplished this before her death. In the last days of her life she still participated in “Jam Sessions” with her family and friends. Bonnie played in numerous bands throughout her life. Bonnie started out with the Rocky Mountain Jamboree playing with Buster Jenkins in Denver, CO. Her music took her across the United State from Alaska to Texas and places in between. Bonnie extended her music talents to many family and friends.
In November of 1996 Bonnie was voted in on a “write in ballet” to become mayor for the Town of Evansville. Bonnie served for the Town of Evansville from January 1997 to December of 2004. While Bonnie was Mayor she helped the town to grow into what it is today.
In 2007 Bonnie made a huge move to Tuscon AZ. Bonnie drove buses at the University of Tuscon with close family friends. Bonnie loved all the new adventures and friends she meet along the way. Her Arizona Music Family was her number 1 priority. Almost every night there was some kind of “Jam Sessions” she would attend. The most spoke about was at the local McDonald’s.
Bonnie was born July 6, 1944 to Joseph “Joe” and Wilda (King) Humphrey. She was born the 5th child, of seven. Bonnie was the only girl of 5 boys until her little sister came along. Having five brothers made Bonnie a the very strong and independent woman that she was. When Bonnie was 5 years old she was severely burned on her left side and spent many months in the hospital, starting school while there. Even though Bonnie only received an 8th grade education she accomplished a lot in her lifetime. Bonnie was what you would call “Real World Smart”.
Bonnie was preceded in death by both her mother and father. Four brothers, Larry, Gary, Ronnie and Jack Humphrey. Three sister-n-laws, 1 brother-n-law a niece, Amanda Humphrey and a great nephew Jackson.
Bonnie is survived by her older brother, Keith (Gay) Humphrey and little sister, Kathy Birkle. 10 nieces, 7 nephews, numerous great and grand nieces and nephews. Multiple cousins, one that was as close as a sister, Becky (Gary) Morgan and very close family friend, Donna Obert. Bonnie also has many other people that she was just “Aunt Bonnie” to.
A memorial serves was held in Arizona following her death. Cremation has already taken place.
Bonnie will be laid to rest on July 26, 2019, between her mom and dad. Graveside services will be held at 3 pm at Wyoming Memorial Gardens. All friends and family are welcome to attend and share any memories of Bonnie. Reception will follow at the Evansville Community Center, 71 S Curtis Street, Evansville, WY.
Dona May Barella passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 20, 2019 at Wyoming Medical Center.
She was born on May 29, 1930 in Lander, Wyoming to Jasper LaVern and Agnes Morgan Beech Phillips. She was very proud of her father’s Wyoming Heritage Family, and the Phillip’s Brothers Sheep Ranch, operating in the early 1900’s.
On December 29, she married Luke Barella in Casper, Wyoming and through this union came two daughters, Cheryl “Kiki” and Joyce. She was a selfless, devoted mother and wife, a gifted artist, accomplished seamstress, and a homemaker. She was a cherished friend to many. If you ever had a slice of her homemade lemon/sherry bundt cake, pecan/oatmeal/coconut Big Horn Mountains cake, or German chocolate cake, you would know how gifted she was. We all looked forward to our birthday meal of green chili with all of the traditional fixins’, which took an entire day to prepare.
A lifelong Wyomingite, she enjoyed camping and fishing in the Big Horn Mountains with her family and friends. She traveled to the Sea of Cortez, Baja, Mexico, the US Virgin Islands, and British Virgin Islands with her daughters. Also Dona was a devoted Denver Broncos fan. She is remembered for her stunning beauty in body and spirit.
Dona is survived by her daughters, Kiki Rooney (George) of Casper/Westminster, SC and Joyce Hopkins Bigge (Dr. Christopher Bigge) of Albuquerque, NM, grandson Thad Rooney (Beth) of Fountain Inn, SC, great grandson, Brayden Cassidy of Cheyenne, WY, great granddaughter Katelyn Rooney of Almagordo, NM, half-brother George Phillips, and many nephews, nieces, and their families.
Dona was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 71 years and sadly too many nieces and nephews gone too soon.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, July 27, 2019 at St. Anthony Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. A reception will follow at O’Reilly Hall. A private inurnment will follow at the Oregon Trail State Veterans Cemetery, where she will join her husband, Luke.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Dona’s name to Nicolaysen Art Museum. Bustard’s Funeral Directors have been entrusted with arrangements.
