Ms. Bonnie B. Saunders

Obituary Bonnie Beth Saunders was born on, May 10th, 1944 to the union of Anderson J. Smith and Helen I. Gee in Kansas City, KS. Bonnie received her education through the Kansas City Missouri School District. She attended Central High School before moving to Los Angeles, California where she then graduated early from Jefferson High School in 1961. Bonnie married Robert E. Gill on September 27th, 1962. To this union was born three children; Charnita (Nita), Roberta (Marie), & Robert Jr. (Robbie). Bonnie and her children moved back to the Kansas City in 1968 and resided on the Missouri side of the City. On April 17th, 1971 Bonnie married Leslie R. Saunders. To this union was born 1 child; Leslie II (Little Les). Bonnie worked as an Accountant/Payroll Assistant while living in Los Angeles after graduating from high school. After moving back to Kansas City; Bonnie worked at CEP (Concentrated Employment Program) on 3030 Prospect Ave. Bonnie also worked for UCP (United Cerebral Palsey) and retired from Bank Of America after 20 years of service. After retiring she kept herself busy by working at Northwood Elementary in the Raytown School District as Teacher Assistant (Paras) for special needs children. Bonnie was a faithful member of the 8TH Street Baptist Church for over 50 years. She was a true Servant. She was mostly known for being on the Usher Board Ministry where she had served as President for many years. She was a Sunday School member and attended BTU (Baptist Training Union) back in the day. She served in the kitchen and as a dining room hostess on special occasions. She served as a hostess at Gideon's Banquets. She was a Mission member and participated in the National Baptist Conventions. She was also a member of the Church Finance Department. Bonnie loved her family. She was dedicated to her family. She always expressed the value of family and how important family should be. She served as Secretary/Treasurer for the Wesley/Glenn Family Reunions on her Mother's side of the family and with the Thompson/Addison Family Reunions on her Father's side of the family. Bonnie would spread her love by visiting family and friends that were in Nursing Homes and Hospitals; and every Tuesday at 10AM she would talk on the phone with her cousin Yvonne. She loved to teach and watch over her grandchildren/great grandchildren when they came to her home. She would have games and toys for them to play with and children's music for them to sing and dance to. Since Bonnie liked to dance herself; she would have fun by joining in with them. Bonnie did her fare share of traveling outside the U.S. to destinations like Acapulco, Bermuda, London, and Haiti. She had traveled to many cities all over the United States as well. Bonnie enjoyed to listen to Jazz and Gospel music during her leisure time. She would also keep Luther Vandross in heavy rotation. Doing word searches and watching Wheel Of Fortune was something that Bonnie often enjoyed doing. Bonnie was overall a good cook when it came to the kitchen. She would make the best sweet potato pies and the family would always enjoy them during the Holiday season. Bonnie departed this life surrounded by caring medical professionals and family on May 20th, 2021 at Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care. She passed in a peaceful manner that were honored by her wishes. Bonnie was preceded in death by her son Robert E. Gill Jr.(Robbie) on May 26th, 2013 and step-daughter Lezley R. Saunders King (Seeta) on March 24th, 2021. Bonnie leaves to mourn her passing: father Anderson J. Smith, mother Helen I. Gee, 2 brothers Dr. Rev. Stanley A. Smith (Corliss) and Cornelius G. Smith, 2 daughters Charnita Y. Gill and Roberta M. Anderson-Mabry (Ernest), 1 son Leslie R. Saunders II (Breanna), 2 step-daughters Lisa D. Kelley (Kit) and Desiree Graves, and 1 step-son Victor L. McCoy. Grandchildren: Tamara J. Stansbury (Cedric), Dion J. Lewis II (Lauryn), Brandon L. Brown, Jamellah M. Anderson, Andrew M. Gill, Ashyante' S. Gill, Makaila J. Owens (Gabe), Leslie R. Saunders III and a host of great grandchildren, nephews, great nephews and great nieces, close knit cousins and friends. Funeral services will be Friday, June 4, 11:00am at Eighth Street Missionary Baptist Church. Interment Forest Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00am-11:00am at the church. Services conducted by Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be shared on our website. Due to COVID-19, social distancing and face coverings are required indoors. Temperature check for all guest (s). To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ms. Bonnie B. Saunders, please visit our floral store. Read More

Ms. Bonnie B. Saunders

May 10, 1944 - May 20, 2021