Bonnie Baptist, age 85, a longtime resident of the Colorado Springs area passed away on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at a local hospital after a brief illness. She had retired after working as an Elementary Education Teacher in the Security / Widefield area for twenty-one years. She was a member of the Colorado Education Association for many years.
Bonnie Jean Wilsey was born on March 23, 1926 in New Harmony, Indiana to Mr. Gilbert and Luella Axton-Wilsey. She attended schools in Evansville, Indiana and went on to nursing school at Porter Adventist Hospital in Denver. She was a graduate of Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. She married Ross Baptist on September 1, 1946 in Berrien Springs.
Bonnie was a first grade teacher at North Security Elementary School and Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary in Widefield. She was an active and devoted member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Colorado Springs and more recently in Cañon City where she also volunteered. She loved crocheting and making afghans. She retired in Westcliffe, Colorado where she loved feeding the birds and the animals who lived near her mountain home.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Ross of Westcliffe; her sons: Dr. Robert (and Pam) Baptist, and Ronald (and Beverly) Baptist of Colorado Springs. She is also survived by her wonderful grandchildren: Ashley, Joshua, Sara and Krista. Also surviving is her sister: Barbara DiPietro of Tucson, Arizona.
She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant son: Robert; and seven brothers and sisters.
Memorial Services are planned for 3:00 pm on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at the Seventh-day Adventist Church 3180 East Main St. in Cañon City. A reception will follow the services at the Church. Cremation is planned and her ashes will be strewn in Westcliffe.
Memorials in Bonnie’s name may be made to the church. Blessed be her memory.