Bonnie Joy Gilmer

Bonnie Joy Snodgrass Gilmer BRISTOL, Va. Bonnie Joy Snodgrass Gilmer, passed away at the age of 83, on Dec. 26, 2009. She is survived by her children, Gwen Wilcox and her husband, Douglas Wilcox of Eaton, Colo., Tyler Gilmer of Bonita Springs, Fla., and Wendy Gilmer of Wytheville, Va.; six wonderful grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. She is also missed by her brother-in-law and his wife, Turner Ashby and Mary Gilmer of Castlewood, Va.; her sister-in-law and her husband, Ellen and Ben E. Ames of Suffolk, Va.; as well as nine nieces and nephews and their families. Bonnie was preceded in death by her husband, James "Jim" Browning Gilmer; her parents, Tyler Frazier and Golden Rodman Snodgrass of Bristol Virginia; a brother, Elbert Snodgrass; a sister and brother-in-law, Dixie Lee and Charles Lerro of Bristol Virginia; a brother and sister-in-law, Don and Rosemary Snodgrass of Denver, Colo.; and a grandson, James Russell Van Patten of Cheyenne, Wyo. Bonnie was born in Denver, and grew up in Colo., Calif., and Russell County, Va. When her father retired from farming, Bonnie moved with her parents to Bristol. Later, she returned to Lebanon in Russell County with her husband, Jim to raise their family. In addition to being a devoted wife and mother, Bonnie taught private kindergarten in her home in Lebanon for several years and actively served her church in many capacities throughout her life. After Jim's retirement, he and Bonnie divided their time between homes in Bristol and Englewood, Fla., where Bonnie took up golf, enjoyed entertaining friends, and sang in a community choir. A memorial service is planned for a later date.