(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)Bonnie Morene Putnam, who never met a stranger and loved her family and friends unconditionally, died April 29, 2022, in Webb City, Mo., after a long illness. She was 90-years-old and a Joplin, Mo., resident for more than 60 years.
She was born the youngest of 10 children to James and Zula Higgs on September 5, 1931, in Barry County, Missouri. She loved to tell stories about growing up on a farm during the Depression and World War II eras.
She was a graduate of Wheaton High School, where she was a cheerleader, acted in schools plays, and was probably the bell of the ball. She worked for a short time in Kansas City, Mo., as a telephone operator and at Hallmark.
She returned home to the Wheaton area on the request of her mom and to help care for her ailing father. One night after a movie with a friend on the Cassville, Mo., square, she met the love of her life—a dashing James Putnam from the Washburn, Mo., area who had a new car and an appreciation for Hank Williams songs. They were married for 54 years before his death on April 23, 2012.
You would rarely ever see Jim and Bonnie when they weren’t holding hands. Together they raised two children. Mom was a homemaker and an eagle-eyed protector of her kids and others she loved.
Bonnie was a longtime member of Harmony Heights Baptist Church of Joplin. Her church family was precious to her.
She is also preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, and six brothers.
She is survived by a son, Randy Putnam of Joplin; a daughter, Nancy Prater and husband Michael of Muncie, Ind.; and her ultimate joys, two granddaughters, Mikel Anne Prater of Sherman Oaks, Calif., and Audrey Prater of Muncie.
Visitation will be from 6-7 p.m. Thursday at Mason-Woodard Chapel in Joplin. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the chapel. Burial will be in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Butterfield, Mo.
She returned home to the Wheaton area on the request of her mom and to help care for her ailing father. One night after a movie with a friend on the Cassville, Mo., square, she met the love of her life—a dashing James Putnam from the Washburn, Mo., area who had a new car and an appreciation for Hank Williams songs. They were married for 54 years before his death on April 23, 2012.
You would rarely ever see Jim and Bonnie when they weren’t holding hands. Together they raised two children. Mom was a homemaker and an eagle-eyed protector of her kids and others she loved.
Bonnie was a longtime member of Harmony Heights Baptist Church of Joplin. Her church family was precious to her.
She is also preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, and six brothers.
She is survived by a son, Randy Putnam of Joplin; a daughter, Nancy Prater and husband Michael of Muncie, Ind.; and her ultimate joys, two granddaughters, Mikel Anne Prater of Sherman Oaks, Calif., and Audrey Prater of Muncie.
Visitation will be from 6-7 p.m. Thursday at Mason-Woodard Chapel in Joplin. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the chapel. Burial will be in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Butterfield, Mo.
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