Bonnie Byerly Whitman "Mimi"
Bonnie Byerly Whitman “Mimi”, 78, of Beaumont, died Saturday, June 5, 2021, at Memorial Hermann Hospital-Memorial City, Houston. She was born on July 22, 1942, to Rosemary Hightower Byerly and Garland “Brickey” Steve Byerly. Mimi spent all of her days loving the Lord and others with all of her heart, soul, and mind.
Bonnie was a Fannett Falcon, being a part of the last graduating class of Fannett High School in 1961. After her graduation, Fannett and Hamshire schools merged, creating Hamshire-Fannett ISD. During her time in high school, she played basketball and served as Drum Major. After high school, she was employed by Hamshire-Fannett ISD for over thirty years. Following her retirement from the school district, Bonnie went on to work in the missions department at Calvary Baptist Church. Bonnie and her husband Randy attended mission trips with Calvary to Nairobi, Kenya, San Diego, California, Macau, China, Vologda, Russia, and Saskatchewan, Canada. Her love for the Lord truly made her brave, as she carried the good news of Jesus all over the world. Mimi loved spending her time traveling, being out in nature, and catering to the needs of all those around her (especially her grandchildren). Bonnie left a legacy that will never be forgotten by her loved ones. She epitomized the word “selfless” and was an example to all of how to truly live a sacrificial and servant-hearted life. Mimi was love in action.
Survivors include her husband, Randy Whitman of Beaumont; daughter, Lisa Harrison and her husband, James; son, Garrett Ginsel and his wife, Brandy, all of Fannett; son, Justin Whitman and his wife, Stacy, of Lufkin; daughter-in-law, Stacey Whitman of Nederland; sister, Kathleen Byerly Dugat of Fannett; brother, Steve Lewis Byerly and his wife, Crystal, of Corpus Christi; grandchildren, Sam and her husband, Bobby, Sunni, Keili, Abby, Nick, Alex, Heather, Garrett, Lillie, Layla, and Ellis; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and all of the part-time grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Garland “Brickey” and Rosemary; son, Mat Whitman; sister, Roseanne Sullivan; and aunt, Mollie Wagnon.
A gathering of Mrs. Whitman’s family and friends will begin at 12:00 p.m., with her funeral service to follow at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, June 12, 2021, at Calvary Baptist Church, 3650 Dowlen Road, Beaumont. Her interment will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park, Port Neches, under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.
Memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Baptist Church Missions Department, 3650 Dowlen Road, Beaumont, Texas 77706.
Please observe social distancing guidelines. By attending any public event you are acknowledging the risk of exposure to the Corona Virus. Please follow the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control: cdc.gov.
Video
Oak Bluff Memorial Park
Oak Bluff Memorial Park
- 618 block port neches tx 77651
Funeral Service
Funeral Service
- 3650 dowlen road beaumont tx 77706
- 06/12/2021
- 2:00 pm
Gathering of Family and Friends
Gathering of Family and Friends
- 3650 Dowlen Road, Beaumont, Texas 77706
- 06/12/2021
- 4:19 pm
Comments
Mrs. Sionie Arrieta Mendoza
You will always be remembered by my family as the one who tirelessly spent a lot of time in our home during the fund raising activities we had with the HF high students for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. You were also there with my parents who loved to have Bible study with you in their little house behind Fannett Medical Center. You loved all our children and we love Lisa and Garrett too.. We will miss you Bonnie.. I pray that you meet up with my parents and my husband , Dr. Mendoza in Heaven.. Till we meet again. We love you.
Fay Bell-Guillory
Beautiful woman. Prayers to you all
Gloria Brockhoeft
Lisa, so sorry to hear about your mother, our prayers are with you and your family.
Ann Amason
I Remember how her hand was shaking when she showed me her engagement ring. Also how pretty she was at your wedding.
Martha Clubb Aucoin
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for the family.
Margaret Pfiester
I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Gwondolen Brown
She's really going to missed she was a very special person to me loved her dearly may she rest in peace
Alex Alzamora
One of the sweetest ladies I've ever known. When I went on a missions trip, I was always sure all the details had been taken care of, thanks to her. A sweet and true friend in the workplace and in the Family of God. You'll be missed, but we'll see you soon.
Debbie Polk
She was such a beautiful caring person, she will be missed. Prayers to all the family.
Diane Barranco Duplechain
So sorry for your loss. Bonnie was a very sweet lady, She will be missed.
Will Johnson
To Mrs. Lisa & Sunni and to the rest of the family I pray the Lord gives you all strength during this time. Also peace knowing Mrs. Bonnie is in his presence. Love - Will, Paige, & Grant Johnson 06/08/2021
Rachel Frazier Tate
Rest in Peace Mrs. Bonnie. You were the best boss I ever had. As a young girl right out of High School, it was an honor to sit next to you at your desk in the Administration Building. You taught me so much, and I will forever be grateful. I still have the Angel that was part of the beautiful going away basket you gave me. It will always be a reminder of you. You were always full of joy when we would run into each other at the grocery store or beauty salon. We were so happy to see each other and catch up. Until we meet again. Love you Mrs. Bonnie! My deepest condolences to your family.
Becky Gatewood
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Ms. Bonnie will be missed. Love, Steve & Becky Gatewood
Misty Matak Sonnier
Lisa and Garrett - I am so very sorry for your loss. Mrs. Bonnie has always held a special place in my heart. She taught me what it meant to be a hard working loyal employee and the Secretary I am today. I will treasure the little time we had together at the HF Admin building. I will surely miss seeing her around from time to time. She always remembered who I was and that made me feel special. Sending you all my prayers.
Buddy & Jeannette Duplantis
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Drew McClary
It's taken me a couple of days to realize that your in Heaven now. You was such a great women, wife to Randy, friend to my family. Randy and you taught my parents in Sunday Connection Groups. After my dad had passed you would bring my mother from connection group to the Sanctuary at Calvary. You never stopped loving my mother. You even helped her rest in peace and now you are in heaven with them. I could only imagine, what it's like right now with all of you guys their. Know that you are loved and we will be praying for your family this week and weeks after. Thank you for being you Bonnie, Love The McClary Family. Drew, Kim, Kialey, Jeremy, Livia, Lola, Caden, and Jaxon.
Joyce Lene”
My prayers are with each of you. She will surely be missed. She was and remains an honorable and loving icon to our Hamshire Fannett community and loved by all. Blessings and treasured memories for each of you, with love.?Joyce
Michaela Ginsel
More than a sister in law to me. A beautiful servant for Christ and expected nothing in return, the real heart of a Christian. I loved her sweet spirit. She could make anything feel or taste special. From leftover turkey sandwiches made just so, bought cookies but had to be warmed to perfection before serving you. The best sloppy Joe's ever. Our children would giggled all night long waiting on a visit. To be loved by you my friend was a blessing ❤ u more, Michaela Ginsel
Rose Hester
Bonnie was a wonderful girl. We had lots of fun as kids on week end. Staying at my grandmother's and Dianne. Such wonderful times to remember. God Bless You sweet one.
Ruth Sherman
Bonnie was a beautiful lady, inside and out. She was a perfect example of love which she shared with all of us, She will be missed. Our loss but heavens gain. My prayers are with you all.
Martha Bogan Quibodeaux
Bonnie and I probably met back in high school even though we didn't go to the same school. She and my husband went to school together so I think the last time we saw each other was at a Fannett school reunion. Through the years we connected for a while on the internet. Such a very kind and thoughtful lady she was. Blessings to her family and friends.
Sheila M Sachitano
So sorry for your loss. Bonnie was a joy to be around.
James H Kelly
Praying for Randy and family. Bonnie was a nice Christian lady..
Annetta and James Craigen
Lisa, Garrett, Steve, and Kathy and the rest of the family, I know you are aware that the entire community loved your mother and have fond memories of her. When she was a senior I was a freshmen. The seniors adopted a freshman for the day and we had to dress as they said and bow to the Falcon as we passed the statue in the hallway. Your mother made me dress in really big overalls, a long sleeved flannel shirt, straw hat with big brim and Jimmy Salles’ tennis shoes. I wore a 5-6 and he wore a 12 or 13. I had to tie them on with baling twine. I also had to wear a huge sandwich board sign that said “Eat At Joe’s”. Every time I went by that stupid Falcon I had to take the hat off and the sandwich board in order to bow down. Then put it all back on. We all had a great time and I loved Bonnie’s laugh. She was such a jewel. She also was a Candy Striper with me at Hotel Dieu.. Rest In Peace, Sweet Bonnie.
Jo Ann Barlow Kimmel
I graduated from Hamshire Fannett in 1964 and knew Bonnie most of my life. She was even at my 6 year old birthday party at Papa Blanton's house in Fannett. Sometimes I would walk to Mr Byerly's gas station, by the church, to meet her for a coke. And sometimes we took the bus to Beaumont to see a movie. She was always loving and wonderful to be with. I too was a Candy Striper at Hotel Dieu aunt Avis Clubb would take us. Over the years I have thought about the memories I have of Bonnie, My heartfelt thoughts to her family, She will be remembered and missed by so many people.
Lisa Harper
My prayers are with the family during this difficult time. Bonnie was a very thoughtful and caring neighbor. She always had a smile on her face and warm words spoken from her heart. Bonnie will be missed.. Matthew 25 : 23 says "Well done good and faithful servant . . "
BIRMA CASTLE
Bonnie had that wonderful quality of making you feel like she had been waiting all day just to see you, any time she saw you. She was always the perfect host the minute you entered her home. Her sweet smile and enthusiasm for life was evident in any conversation she was a part of. Although I didn't see her every day, I looked forward to the short little visits in passing on my way past her garage any time we were both leaving or arriving at our homes in Sun Meadow Townhouses. I will always remember her "school girl giggle" the day before her tragedy, when she talked about her whitewater rafting down the river in Durango, CO. The giggle came when she mentioned she was ON the train. What a delight this wonderful lady was. If I could tell her one last thing it would be to thank her for being the wonderful person who gave you her undivided attention, no matter how good, bad or long your story was. Bonnie will be missed by everyone who ever knew her. Love doesn't die with death, because I still love her. Birma Castle
Vickie Jordan
So sad to hear of your passing, But we know God has better plans for you. You always had a smile on your face and in you heart, one of the sweetest Ladies I've ever known. You were and awesome mom and grandmother and you have left wonderful memories to reflect on forever. We are all better for knowing you. till we meet again. hugs and kisses
Janet Decuir
Lisa, I am so sorry for your loss. I know you and your mom were very close like Annette and I are now. You are going to miss her, but you are strong! I love you so much.