Bonnie Witt
Bonnie Witt, 70, of Sullivan, MO passed away peacefully at her home, Saturday, November 19, 2022.
Bonnie Louise Bailey was born July 10, 1952 in Sullivan, MO to Clyde and Julia (Brown) Bailey. She grew up and attended school in Sullivan, marrying the love of her life, Samuel Witt, on January 11, 1969. To this union, five sons were born: Samuel Jr., Michael, Patrick, Aaron, & Ty. Together Sam and Bonnie raised their family in Sullivan, creating many lasting memories throughout the years. Bonnie was a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker while Sam traveled to the city for work. As the boys were older, she followed her own creative and entrepreneurial spirit, growing and operating a successful cleaning business in the Sullivan area. She was a member of Temple Baptist Church.
Bonnie centered her life around her family, making sure her sons visited extended family regularly. Between visits to the Dace family farm in St. Clair, trips across town to her in-laws, or family vacations to Texas, Colorado and beyond, she loved to see the world and travel with her family. Trips often included visits to extended relatives, and on every road trip you would find her reading a book out loud to the boys, with them all piled into the station wagon. For many years during the summers, Bonnie would have 6 boys in the house, with her nephew Jared joining the family over the summer. Bonnie gave all she could to being there for her family.
Her love of travel was a thirst that could not be quenched. She and Sam would travel regularly to the Northeast to see the fall colors. Massachusetts and Martha’s Vineyard were favorite destinations as a couple after the boys were grown. Together they made their first trip to Disney World, just the two of them, and fell in love with the Disney World Resort. Later, this would become a tradition of visits with their grandchildren that would last for many years until her health prevented her from making the trip.
Making memories was something that Bonnie was always working toward, including her famous Sunday Spaghetti Dinner, followed by a batch of Home-Made Ice Cream (all flavors were equally loved, besides the one attempt at butterscotch). But one thing she loved above all else was being sure that those around her could count on her to celebrate their milestones with them. Her parties were legendary. The party for Sam’s 60th may be the biggest event those who attended would ever take part in as a birthday celebration. More circus than birthday, it was a 3-day event that her large extended family would talk about the rest of their lives.
As a grandmother, she was only a phone call away. If a grandchild was sick, any of the boys or daughter’s-in-law only needed to call and she would be on her way. Whether the grandbaby was in Washington State, Texas, Louisville, Spring Bluff or Bourbon, Bonnie would be ready for them to either come to her house or she would be in the car headed to wherever they were across the country. She took great pride in always being able to say yes when the call came, an affirmation of her love to her family.
Bonnie loved crafts, baking and gardening, the latter of which she studied carefully at her father’s side. She shared her love of all of these activities with her grandchildren, making sure there were always creative things to do anytime they were at the house. At Thanksgiving, there was sure to be a show of some kind put on by the grandkids and Bonnie would be sure they had everything they needed. And throughout the day, the grandkids would be in and out of the kitchen “helping” her with preparation of the meal. Everyone looked forward to one particular dish every year, Bonnie’s world-famous butt-rolls, a secret recipe for bread rolls that each of Bonnie’s grandkids knows by heart.
Bonnie loved an adventure and always had a creative way of finding herself in one type of adventure or another. She and her good friend, Frances North, were always a great pair for adventure. Bonnie might have been the only person with enough enthusiasm to keep up with Frances’ ideas, and together the two raised their children and supported each other in life. Likewise, when Bonnie and her sisters got together, a round of Mille Bornes was likely to be played and lots and lots of giggling and laughter would be present. She relished every opportunity for time with her siblings that she was able to get. They were fundamental to who she was as a person and she worked hard to keep them close.
Bonnie is survived by her loving husband, Sam Sr.; four sons: Sam Witt Jr. and his wife, Kim of Irving, TX, Michael Witt and his wife, Pamela of Willard, MO, Aaron Witt and his wife, Gail of Bourbon, MO, and Ty Witt and his wife, Tory of Leasburg, MO; a daughter-in-law, Tammy Witt of St. Louis, MO; sixteen grandchildren: Kaitlin Hayes (husband, Stephen Hayes), Lethe Witt (husband, Michael Burton) Aurelia Witt (husband, Arturo Cueto) Juri Young, Darcey Goodman (husband, Dustin Goodman), Addison Witt (partner, Tyler Tran), Lily Schroeder-Witt (husband, Nick Schroeder-Witt), Allix Beckmann (husband, Daniel Beckman), Trevor Witt, Kyle Witt (wife, Morgan Witt), Dillon Witt, Tristin Britton, Cody Witt, Samantha Behrends (husband, Kory), Khole Witt and Hunter Witt; four great-grandchildren: Aurora Hayes, Leighton Ivy Goodman, Isla Beckmann, Avaley Rose Behrends, and another on the way; four siblings: Mary King of Brazoria, TX, Sheri Kollenberg and her husband, Lew of Russellville, MO, Greg Holloway of Sullivan, and Jim Bailey and his wife, Terri also of Sullivan; mother-in-law, Fern Witt of Sullivan; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by a son, Patrick Garrett Witt; a great-grandson, Theodore Arthur Hayes; her Aunt Martha Studdard, with whom she was very close, her parents; a brother, William Bailey; and her father-in-law, Samuel M. Witt.
Services will be held 12:00 PM, Wednesday, November 23, 2022 at Temple Baptist Church in Sullivan with Pastor Scott Perry officiating.
Visitation will be 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM prior to the service, Wednesday at Temple Baptist Church.
Memorial contributions may be made in Bonnie’s memory to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Condolences may be shared with Bonnie’s family online at www.eatonfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are under the care of Eaton Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Sullivan, MO.