Bonnie B. Rutherford

Bonnie O’Neal Berly Rutherford, 79, passed away on Wednesday, April 26, 2017, to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in her Heavenly home.

Bonnie was born in Frankston, Texas on July 19, 1937 to George Clarence and Ruby Gertrude Barnhill Berly, where her father was working a temporary job while waiting for his appointment as the Postmaster at Marthaville, Louisiana. She was a small baby when they returned to their native home in Marthaville, where Bonnie was reared.

Bonnie graduated from Marthaville High School. She attended Northwestern State University and Sowela Tech. She worked for the State of Louisiana and retired after thirty years of service. She enjoyed her work and the people with whom she worked.

Bonnie was a longtime, faithful member of Bellview Baptist Church in Westlake. For many years she sang in the choir and taught 1st and 2nd grade in Sunday School. She enjoyed working with Operation Christmas Child and the church pantry. She was always available to help prepare meals for bereaved families and the sick. She was a prayer warrior and served on the prayer chain. Bonnie loved music.   She sang in the choir at school and church. She began playing the piano by ear at the age of twelve.

Dearest to her heart were her family and friends, and Bonnie enjoyed being with them. They had fun taking day trips, shopping, eating out and playing cards. She enjoyed decorating, quilting and working in her yard.

Bonnie is survived by her loving daughter, Lisa Beth Chapman and special granddaughter, Gillian Rhys Chapman-Browne of Dallas, Texas; one sister, Betty Jean Stevens of Kingwood, Texas; nieces, Gloria Reidlinger, also of Kingwood, and Elizabeth Davis of Quinlan, Texas, and nephew, Michael Stevens of Valdez, Alaska; two aunts, DeLourse Veillon of Lake Charles and Faye Parks of Marthaville, as well as several cousins.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 44 years, John E. Rutherford, Jr., her infant son, Jodie Wayne Chapman, and her brother-in-law, William Roscoe “Billy” Stevens. Bonnie wanted to express special honor, love and gratitude to her dearest friend, “Chum,” and sister in Christ, Linda Dowies, who was always there for her, whatever the need, and to her special friend and neighbor, Judy Hayes.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at Bellview Baptist Church of Westlake under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Reverend John Ward will officiate. Visitation will be at the church on Friday from 5 until 8 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. until service time.   Interment will follow the services at 3 p.m. at Marthaville Cemetery in Marthaville, Louisiana.

Memorial donations may be made to Bellview Baptist Church, 507 John Stine Road, Westlake, LA 70669, to the American Cancer Society, One Lakeshore Drive, Suite 1585, Lake Charles, LA 70629, or to Jerry Squyres “Innovative Missions,” 2510 South Benice Drive, Pearland, TX 77581-7574.

The family would like to express their grateful appreciation for the compassionate care given their beloved mother to Dr. Craig Broussard, the doctors and staff of Amedysis Hospice, and to the countless friends and neighbors who have uplifted Bonnie and her family with prayers, cards, call, food and love during her illness.