Dorothy Jean Bonner was born on February 1,1945 in Bakersfield, CA to Guy

and Hattie Portis. She attended Bessie Owens Elementary School, Lincoln Jr. High

School, Bakersfield High School and later Bakersfield College. In 1961, Dorothy

married her high school sweetheart Edward, beginning a lifelong journey built on

love, commitment, and family. From this union, they were blessed with three

children: Darren, Jacqueline, and Edward. Dorothy was a devoted wife and loving

mother who worked tirelessly to provide a nurturing home and strong

foundation for her family. Later in life, Dorothy married Andrew Bonner, the love

and companion with whom she spent the remainder of her years. Together they

shared a life filled with love, friendship, faith, and cherished family moments.

Dorothy had a special love for children which led her to a fulfilling career as a

daycare provider. She dedicated much of her life to caring for and nurturing young

children. She treated every child entrusted to her care as if they were her own,

creating a loving and safe environment where they could learn, grow, and thrive. The

families she served remember her not only as a caregiver but also as a mentor,

confidante, and source of encouragement. She had a passion for baking sweets for

everyone, peach cobbler, chocolate cakes, peanut butter brittle, toffee candy, tea

cakes, apple pie, banana pudding you name it she made it. She loved listening to

gospel music and hearing a message from the Lord. Each day, she began her morning

with devotion, reading scriptures from the Bible and praying for others. She was a

faithful prayer warrior, keeping a long list of family, friends, and loved ones lifted up

in prayer.

On Sunday mornings, she looked forward to receiving the Word of the Lord. She also

enjoyed eating out and trying different restaurants. And whenever she saw something

new on television that caught her eye, everyone knew she was going to find a way to

get it—or have someone bring it to her. That was part of her charm and one of the

many things that made her so special.

Dorothy was also an avid sports fan. She was a die-hard Dallas Cowboys, Los

Angeles Lakers, and Los Angeles Dodgers fan. She enjoyed cheering on her

favorite teams and rarely missed an opportunity to show her team spirit. Dorothy

also loved watching her soap operas and never missed an episode of The Young and

the Restless and Beyond the Gates. She looked forward to keeping up with the

storylines and enjoyed sharing those moments as part of her daily routine. Dorothy

had a big heart and was always willing to help those in need. Whether offering a kind

word, lending a helping hand, or supporting family and friends, she gave from her

heart and made others feel cared for.

At a young age Dorothy gave her life to Christ. She was a faithful member of

St. John Missionary Baptist Church where she actively participated in the Women’s

Ministry, Baptist Training Union, Choir, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and

Wednesday Night Bible Study. She later became a member of Ebenezer Baptist

Church where she served in a leadership role within the nursery ministry. Dorothy

was a devoted Christian whose faith guided her throughout her life. She found

strength and comfort in her relationship with God and shared that faith through her

kindness, generosity, and service to others. Her gentle spirit, warm smile, and caring

heart touched countless lives. Above all, Dorothy cherished her family. She took great

pride in the accomplishments of her loved ones and found joy in spending time

together, sharing stories, laughter, and treasured traditions. Her wisdom, strength, and

unconditional love will remain a precious gift to all who were blessed to know her.

Dorothy passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of family and friends.

She was a woman of strong faith, compassion, and unwavering devotion to those she

loved. Dorothy leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire all who knew her.

She was proceeded in death by her beloved husband Andrew Bonner, parents Guy and

Hattie Portis, brothers Curtis Abair, Bud Hillard Portis and Larry Portis. She leaves to

cherish her memory; her children, Darren (Crystal)Parks, Jacqueline (Eddie)Laws,

Edward(Antionette) Parks III, her siblings Guy Portis, Dervin Ted (Jackie) Portis,

Brenda Nolen, Johnnie(Dawn) Portis, George(Carolyn) Portis, and Terri Portis, her

lifelong best friend Edward Parks, her grandchildren, Darryn, DeVaughn, Kamisha,

Alyssa, Destiny, Romeal, Shanelle, Duanesha, Darren, Aprina, Javon, Cheyenne,

Autumn and Amir and a host of great and great-great grandchildren, along with many

nieces, nephews, and other relatives, friends, and loved ones whose lives she touched

throughout her remarkable journey.

Though her physical presence will be deeply missed, her legacy of faith, love,

compassion, and service will live on in the hearts of those she leaves behind. We find

comfort in knowing that she has entered eternal rest and is now at peace in the

presence of her Lord and Savior.

"Well done, good and faithful servant." – Matthew 25:23

Dorothy Jean Bonner will forever be remembered, forever loved, and forever

missed.