of Clinton, AR
March 31, 1918 - September 14, 2013
Lifelong county resident Bonnie Aday died September 14, 2013 at the age of 95. She was born in the community of Una, Arkansas March 31, 1918.
She was the third child of Ola Clayton Bell and Clark Andersen Bell, who operated the Una post office.
Married in 1934 to Dillard Aday, a teacher, she earned teaching certification and joined him at the one-room school at Chimes. They improvised a divider for the classroom, with Bonnie instructing the younger childen while Dillard taught the older ones. They subsequently taught at Formosa and South Side before moving to Clinton in 1948, where Mrs. Aday taught first, and then third grades, until 1961. During that time she earned a master's degree from Arkansas State Teacher's College (now UCA).
The Aday's established seasonal residence in 1962 at Window Rock,
Arizona on the Navajo Nation reservation, where Mrs. Aday was principal of
the elementary school. They returned each summer to Clinton, resuming permanent residence in 1974 at their farm on Old Highway 9. She taught at Alread and was principal of Shirley Elementary School until she retired.
Over the course of her long career as an educator, she introduced hundreds of children to the world of learning, and mentored numerous teachers under supervision.
Following the death of her husband, she began a second career as one of Wal-Mart's first employees at Clinton, where she was known as ''Wal-Mart Bonnie,'' the jovial ''people greeter,''
Mrs. Aday is survived by her daughter, Twila Coffey (Michael) of Prescott, AZ; and son Gary Aday (Karen) of Little Rock, AR; her eldest child, Jehree Bone (Gayle), is deceased, her five grandchildren are Michelle Bone Glover, Michael Bone, Lindsay Aday Carruth, Callie Aday and Danny Aday, she has four great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers: Roy Dean Dempsey, Allen Aday, Danny Aday, Mike Bone, Chip Ellis, and Billy Rhoades.
Visitation will be 5:00-8:00pm Monday, September 16, 2013 at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home Chapel Clinton, Arkansas.
Funeral Service will be 2:00pm Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at First Baptist Church Clinton where she was a long-time member, with Reverend Gayle Bone officiating. Burial will follow in Clinton Cemetery alongside her husband.
Funeral Arrangements are under the care and direction of Roller-McNutt Funeral Home of Clinton, Arkansas. Online guest book: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com
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32 Condolence(s)
Judy R Kimbrough
Saturday, July 10, 2021
It was my great pleasure to get to know Dillard and Bonnie as neighbors and colleagues at Window Rock and Phoebe Lofton as well. The Adays were very special and kind to this young teacher in 1972. I missed them so much when they retired.
I remember they played Scrabble every night after supper and dear Dillard washed the dishes.
Bonnie really understood Navajo children and was dear to all who came into contact with her.
Gary was in high school and we were on a 13 party phone line and all worked the exactly same hours. The Adays and the Phelps were sensitive to the phoning of their teens. Ohhhhh. before cellphones.
There's a special place in Heaven and in our hearts for the Adays and the Loftons.
Shanna (Hinton) Payne
Monday, September 23, 2013
Allen & Tamie an family, I just heard an I am so saddened about Ms Bonnie's passing. She was a wonderful person, an I have fond memories of her when I was child growing up. Praying for y'all an your family.
Steve Trawick
Saturday, September 21, 2013
So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you Twila and Gary, for the coming days ahead.
Aalesha and Mattie Cartner
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Words can't express the feelings of the loss of such a wonderful lady. One day she took me, my daughter, and my parents into her townhouse apartment downtown Clinton and showed us around. She was so proud of it you could tell. And everyone loved her as our Walmart greeter! Not too long ago, I ran into Ms. Aday and she just feel in love with the necklace I had on, so I took my necklace off and gave it to her. I felt so much love from Ms.Aday and I know she felt my love back to her. I love you and miss you Ms. Aday!
Deb Phillips
Thursday, September 19, 2013
She was the most wonderful woman I had ever met. Always a smile on her face. Love and prayers to the family
Nancy Martin Rikel
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Gary-
I recall your parents arriving on the Reservation in 1962. My parents were so fond or yours and spoke of them so often. I would imagine that they are together right now, catching up on things.. with our moms talking a mile a minute.
Your mother clearly lead an interesting, rewarding and full life. Just imagine how many lives she positively influenced who will pass that knowledge on to so many others! Her legacy will lives on.
Nancy Martin Rikel
Class of 1965
Window Rock High School
Scott
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Robert Tinkle
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Gary I was sorry to read about your mother. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Nona Henderson
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Mrs. Aday was always one of the sweetest ladies at First Baptist. She always had a smile on her face and was happy to be with God's people. I truly have missed her smiling face. I know that I will see her again. What a blessing she was!
Berniece (lowrance) Isaac
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Twila, Gary and all the family, I know Mrs. Bonnie is in the arms of God. Please accept my deepest sympathy. May God help you through this difficult time. Prayers, Berniece Isaac
Freda (Cullum) Bradford
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Mrs. Bonnie Aday, my first grade teacher, and my favorite one as well. I visited with her a lot while she was at IRV before she was moved to Clinton. She remembered me along with a lot of my classmates because we were the first class she taught at Clinton in 1948. She was such a kind and loving teacher and made every day a special one for us all.
She was loved so much and will never be forgotten.
Lynda Kidd Preslar
Monday, September 16, 2013
Mrs. Aday was my 1st and 3rd grade teacher and I always loved her. She was such a sweet lady. When my first child was born she took the time to write the sweetest letter to him! You are so fortunate to have such a sweet lady in your family. Always keep the good memories fresh.
Jo Hillyer
Monday, September 16, 2013
Miss Bonnie will surely be missed by every one who knew
her. She always had a smile and a kind word to all.
jo hillyer
Pastors Jimmy & Lisa Coots
Monday, September 16, 2013
Mrs. Aday was a special lady. She was my favorite principal when I was in school at Shirley. She had a smile that lit up every room and a laugh that was contagious. She was the most caring teacher/principal I ever knew. She was truly an Angel in the Education System. We will miss her greatly as she was one of a kind. Our sympathy to the family, as we know you are lost without her.
Bill & Reda Kerr
Monday, September 16, 2013
Miss Bonnie was a special lady with a great sense of humor. We've missed her quips and upbeat spirit these
last few years.
Mary and Sam Rhoades
Monday, September 16, 2013
Bonnie and Dillard are fondly remembered as teachers by both of us. They were special friends with Mary's mother Nadine Smith. Nadine taught in Clinton with the Aday's and was also in Azirona when they were there.
Betty Clark
Monday, September 16, 2013
Mrs. Aday a very special person and great educator. I worked with her at Shirley Elementary School, she was the best principal ever, wonderful friend and a great example to all. She taught her teachers how to love their students and that we were all just there for them. She was there for the teachers and the students. I will always love My Mrs.Aday because she made you feel like you were part of her special team and that you were an important player.
Stanley Jones
Monday, September 16, 2013
I lived about a mile down the road and remember all the family.
My thoughts range from playing with all.. I remember the lady who would bring us a treat and Mr Aday my teacher. My thoughts are with you.
Harold & Jessie Johnson
Monday, September 16, 2013
We are so sorry. She was a dear friend. I will never forget her kindness in picking me up on her way to school so that I did not have to ride the bus. She and Dillard were great inspirations to us.
Trina Jones
Monday, September 16, 2013
Ms. Bonnie was such a precious lady. She will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with all the family.
Sherrin Newland Richardson
Monday, September 16, 2013
Mrs. Aday was an inspiration and role model for all who ever knew her. I am so thankful she was with us for 90+ years. Peace and comfort to her and hers.
Betty Thompson
Monday, September 16, 2013
SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT MS BONNIE. SHE WAS A SPECIAL LADY. PRAYERS AND LOVE TO YOU TWILA.
Reva Charlene Johnson
Sunday, September 15, 2013
So sorry for your loss. She was a sweet and amazing lady. I remember working with her at Walmart. She always had a smile for everyone.
paula bruce cowsert
Sunday, September 15, 2013
The world will be a little less exciting without Miss Bonnie in it, but heaven will be a little brighter with her beautiful smile and personality up there. I know that she was so ready to go and am glad that this journey is over and she is finally home. love you and will miss you Miss Bonnie.
Martha Williams York
Sunday, September 15, 2013
My deepest sympathy to Twila and Mike, Gary and family, and Jehree's family. Miss Bonnie was one of a kind in the best way. my prayers and thoughts will be with you in the days ahead. I wish I could be there for the service.
Julie Hopkins
Sunday, September 15, 2013
We are very sorry to hear of your loss. Heaven gained a very special angel with Ms. Bonnie! My two children grew up knowing her as the "lady at Wal-Mart". She always had a special song for them. We later attended church with her at First Baptist for many years and she was a part of our family. I could always count on knowing she was praying for my entire family. God bless you all at this time.
Louise Linn
Sunday, September 15, 2013
I am sorry for your loss. I loved Miss Bonnie. Worked with her at Wal-Mart. She lived just down the road from me and I loved to surprise her with a dinner plate of food She loved turnip greens. I know she was ready to go on to her reward in Heaven. She told me many a time. I am glad I got to see her two weeks ago. I will miss her.
Reba bonds rooney
Sunday, September 15, 2013
So sorry to hear she was a lovely lady
Karen Harlan
Sunday, September 15, 2013
I am so sorry to hear about Miss Bonnie ,she was one of the most loving; caring person I ever knew.I just loved to talk to her about things and she was very smart,My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at . this time,God has a new angel with him looking down,.
Pat Denman
Sunday, September 15, 2013
So sorry to hear of your loss. I knew Mrs. Bonnie when she was a greeter at walmart & she always had a smile on her face. I'm sure she will be missed by all that knew her.
Chip and Judy Eakin
Saturday, September 14, 2013
So sorry to hear of your loss. Miss Bonnie was a real sweetheart. My husband and I just loved talking with her. She was such a sweet person and she will be missed.
Edd & Dee Ridings
Saturday, September 14, 2013
We have known and loved Miss Bonnie since I can remember. She was a lady in every sense of the word. Her bright smile and charm were a special part of talking with her. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.