Raised in the Ava and Ozark areas Bonnie Harrison, daughter of John Layman and Cora Belle (Clayton) Ridenour, was born Sept. 13, 1927, in Lutie, Mo., and departed this life Friday, Jan. 26, 2007, in her son’s home in Springfield, at the age of 79.
Bonnie was united in marriage to Richard William Harrison on May 27, 1972, and together they shared 27 years before his passing on Dec. 10, 1999.
She was also preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Elzie, Jack, Robert, and Roy Ridenour; and five sisters, Cora, Joyce, Golden, Maxine, and Mildred Ridenour.
She is survived by her four children, William Eugene Baird, and his wife, Norma, of Lincoln City, Ore., Vernon Lee Baird and his wife, Patricia, of Springfield, Shirley Joan Cherry, of San Marcos, Calif., and David Bruce Baird and his wife, Marge, of San Ramon, Calif.; 11 grandchildren, Max Baird, Ann Baird, James Vernon Baird, John Christopher Baird, Jennifer Lynn Baird, Cindy Darlene Baird, Matthew Cherry, Laura Cherry, Kathryn Cherry, David Brian Baird, and Mitchell Baxter Baird; 15 great-grandchildren; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends.
Bonnie was raised in the Ava and Ozark areas and moved to California in 1955, where she worked for North America Aviation in Torrence. During her employment there, she worked on the first Apollo space craft, and she also worked for Associated Spring, assembling bombs that were used by the American Armed Forces.
Bonnie and Richard moved back to Missouri in 1974 and in l976 they made Seymour their home. She worked at the Seymour Library as part time librarian for several years before her retirement.
Bonnie had made her profession of belief in Christ and had followed the Baptist faith throughout her life.
In her spare time, she loved doing embroidery, quilting, knitting, and other sewing projects. She was also an avid reader and enjoyed growing beautiful flowers and vegetables in her garden.
Services were held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, in Holman-Howe Funeral Home in Seymour, with the Rev. Mark Terrill officiating.
Burial followed in Seymour Masonic Cemetery.
