Services for Bonnie Ruth Lee, 87, of Ada are 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the Ada Church of the Nazarene, her grandson, Josh Lee will officiate. Burial will follow at Oakman Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Friday at Criswell Funeral Home.
Mrs. Lee passed away Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at a local nursing home. She was born May 22, 1932 at Byars, OK to Russell William and Dovie Susan Hale Willoughby.
She married Billy Jack Lee November 24, 1956 at Oil Center. He preceded her in death February 21, 2015. Mrs. Lee was a homemaker and a member of the Ada Church of the Nazarene.
Bonnie was the perfect example of a Proverbs 31 woman. Her hands were never idle. She spent her life serving first of all, her Lord and Savior, and secondly her family, friends and church. She was a chef in her own right and could cook for two or for the masses. She never knew how many friends her kids might invite over for a sleep over or Sunday dinner. She was prepared and never shaken by it. She was a gifted seamstress. She sewed many garments for her family. She delighted in making frilly outfits for her granddaughters and nieces. Her homemade quilts will bring much comfort and will be cherished forever.
Bonnie had a soft and beautiful soprano voice. She gave her life to the Lord as a young girl and used her God-given talent to bring honor and praise to her Savior. As a young woman she and her sisters traveled throughout Oklahoma and Arkansas holding revivals throughout Pentecostal Holiness churches. All family gatherings included lots of singing with her siblings and the rest of the family. Her daddy was a lover of music and loved to hear his kids sing and often joined in with them. He had a “special” song that the grandchildren squealed with glee over anytime he would sing it. He bought mom and her sister their first guitar and loved to hear them play. Music was and continues to be the heartbeat of our family.
Her influence and presence will be felt for generations to come. Her children have and will continue to arise and call her blessed. Her strength and dignity were evident all the way up to the moment she transitioned to her heavenly home. Her handiwork will be cherished forever. Her wisdom and faithful instruction will live on through the heritage that she has left behind. What an honor to have her as our mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.
Survivors include a son, Keven Lee and wife Rebecca of Ada; daughter, Sonya Stokes and husband David of Ada; daughter-in-law, Kathy Lee of Ada; six grandchildren, Nick Lee and wife Vanessa, Natalie Hayes and husband Derek and Jessica Schwarzott and husband Josh, all of Ada; Joshua Lee and wife Bre, Locust Grove; Taylor Stokes and wife Alexis, Ada and MaKenzie Stokes, Ada; 12 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Sue Yeargan and husband Larry, Pauls Valley, Elsie Wilson, Seminole, and Lavell Nelson, Broken Arrow; and a host of nieces, nephews and other family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Bill Lee; a son, Kent Lee; four brothers, Marion, Dee, Junior and Leroy; and four sisters, Mattie Willoughby, Lavern Strawn, Juanita Frantz; and Bernice Edge.
Bearers will be her grandchildren.
Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, only 10 people may gather at the graveside, per the Governor’s Order.
Criswell Funeral Home, Ada
