Ms. Myrtle Mae Bonds

Myrtle Mae Bonds, quietly to her home in heaven on August 4, 2024. Early Days Born October 18, 1930 in St. Louis, Missouri to parents William and Willie Willis. The oldest of three children orphaned at age 12, she and her two siblings grew up on a farm with relatives in Haiti, Missouri. Myrtle’s life was characterized by a predominantly quiet and gentle demeanor, yet she lived it with a vibrant and exuberant energy. This Is Me Myrtle exhibited a thirst for knowledge at an early age and received a scholarship to attend Western Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri where she received her high school diploma. She participated in women’s basketball, ran track and studied English with great enthusiasm. As a lifelong learner, her passion shifted to sewing and she began working professionally at Tie Rack, Midwest Embroidery and Betty Rose as a seamstress. Myrtle also used her sewing skills as a side hustle tailoring clothes, making wedding attire, dolls, aprons, costumes, baby blankets and more. Suffice to say, frequent trips were made to fabric stores for patterns and sewing supplies. She was frugal and could spend hours searching thrift stores and flea markets for hidden gems. Myrtle was quite active throughout her life, married Walter Scott and Luther Bonds and raised eight children mostly as a single mother. In the mid-60s, she joined St. Stephen Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. John W. Williams. She quietly served in the Missions Ministry, Food Pantry and led Sunday School devotions. During the pandemic, Myrtle virtually attended Metropolitan joining in May. She dedicated time to appreciating God’s outdoor creations through activities like planting flowers, bird watching, and marveling at the wonders of nature, particularly trees. She loved music, from old School Gospel greats like Rosetta Tharpe to Rap icon Dr. Dre to Opera singers, Leontyne Price and Jessye Norman. Myrtle’s fascination with words showed up in her passion for game shows like Jeopardy and poetry. She never missed the opportunity to recite some of her favorite poets, Paul Laurence Dunbar and Sojourner Truth at Willis Family Reunion talent shows. Her passion for words almost turned to an obsession with Word Search puzzle competitions and that’s when most of us went down in defeat. And Myrtle was always up for a tough round of Monopoly or UNO. She had a network before networking was the thing and would proudly tell you, I know people! Myrtle had a contagious sense of humor and was always willing to have a good laugh. Her unwavering optimism, strength of will, hopefulness and aura captured the hearts of many. This Is My Tribe She is survived by her children: Jerry, Andre, Rita (Stan) Luther (Debra), Rosalind, Keith, and Gregory. Her grandchildren: LaTosha (Arthur), DeShana, Derrick (Nicole), Joyce (DeMarcus), DeJuan, Damon (Tumika), Donta, Andre Jr., Davica (Martin), Tasha (Jonathan), Steven, Laquitta, Kareemah, Gene (Joslyn), Tiffany, Deanna, KaJuan (Miles), Derek, Winton, and Keith Jr... Her great grandchildren: Destiny, Tiana (David), Tiara, Jacob, Damonique, Mariah, Mikayla, Sevin, Johnny, Asia, Dazhani, Alia, Loren, Donta Jr, Victoria, Veronica, Darius, Diah, Morgan, Malachi, Dayna, Sadie, Micah, Meyah, Jaelle, Ramono, Zuri, Davonna, Michael, Elijah, Amral, Kaleah, Amari, Nia, Alister, Zane, Lydia, Amina, Ashlee, Isaiah, Sierra, Samuel, Zeke, Zaylee, Harper, Larya, Zion, Amral, Keliha, Amari, Kelianna, Maliah, Myles Jr., Dajia, Nia and Elijah. Her great-great grandchildren: Mason, MaKai, Maliya, Eli, Serenitee, Chozen, Amaya, Amaris, Daionna, and Imani. She is also survived by nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Preceding her transitioning, her daughter Zinat, and grandsons, Marcus, Ibn, and Jalil, two brothers: Hank, William, and sister: Erma. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday August 24, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. at Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church 2310 East Linwood Blvd. KCMO 64109. Interment: Mount Moriah Cemetery. Visitation 10-11:00 A.M. at the church. Arrangements entrusted to Lawrence A. Jones & Sons. Condolence may be shared on our website lawrenceajones.com

Ms. Myrtle Mae Bonds

October 18, 1930 - August 4, 2024