Nelma Jean Speed B onner
Nelma Jean Speed Bonner, 95, of Fairfield, Texas passed from this life early Thursday morning July 24, 2025, at her home. She was born in the Ward Prairie Community outside of Fairfield on February 22, 1930, to Clarence Speed and Jessie Pearl Renfro Speed.
She attended school in a one room schoolhouse in Ward Prairie until the consolidation with Fairfield ISD when she was in the fourth grade. Her family moved to the Oak Cliff area of Dallas, where she graduated from Sunset High School. She lived in the city for several years before she married Jim Billie Bonner Jr. in Fairfield, Texas. Jim and Jean had two sons Jim Billie (Buck) Bonner and Biff Bonner. She enjoyed her life as a ranch wife and mother. A member of Ward Prairie Baptist Church she was always helping with Sunday School, Bible School and B.T.S. Frequently pastors and their families were Sunday dinner visitors at the Bonner home.
Jean is preceded in death by her parents Clarence and Jessie Speed, husband Jim Bonner and son Biff Bonner. Also, 4 brothers, Travis, Earl, Jake and Renfro, and 3 sisters, Hazel Hoeinghaus, Eleanor Cannon and Gladys Hargrove. She is survived by her son Buck Bonner of Fairfield. Granddaughter Stella Dewitt and great grandson Jonathan Dewitt. She is also survived by a number of nieces, nephews and extended family members and friends.
Viewing will be Tuesday morning, July 29, 2025, from, 10 - 11am in the Chapel at Griffin - Roughton Funeral Home with a Celebration of Life to begin at 11am with Bro. David Bristow of Ward Prairie Baptist Church officiating. Burial will follow at Bonner Cemetery with Jody Bonner, Bobby Bonner, John Y. Bonner, Ronnie Hoeinghaus, Cody Hoeinghaus and John Paul Dineen serving as pallbearers.
