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Bonner Memorial Cemetery

Memorials	:	0
Location	:	Toxey, Choctaw County, USA
Coordinate	:	31.9122009, -88.3383026
Description	:	The Bonner Memorial Cemetery located two miles west of Toxey, Alabama has a picturesque setting surrounded by beautiful trees of every species. It is unique in that it remains a family cemetery. The founder: Seaborn and Mary Martin Bonner's home was located on the South side of the cemetery; built in approximately 1837. In May 1850, their five year old daughter, Nancy, died and was buried in their flower garden, hence the beginning of the cemetery. All of their ten children are interred there with the exception of two;... Read More	The Bonner Memorial Cemetery located two miles west of Toxey, Alabama has a picturesque setting surrounded by beautiful trees of every species. It is unique in that it remains a family cemetery. The founder: Seaborn and Mary Martin Bonner's home was located on the South side of the cemetery; built in approximately 1837. In May 1850, their five year old daughter, Nancy, died and was buried in their flower garden, hence the beginning of the cemetery. All of their ten children are interred there with the exception of two; namely Seaborn Bonner, Jr. buried in Bright Water Cemetery and Andrew Lee Bonner, a Confederate soldier buried in a confederate cemetery near Cross Roads, Virginia. Jordan Bonner, a confederate soldier, died in Camp in Mobile, Alabama and is buried in Bonner Cemetery. Some ninety four descendants of Seaborn and Mary Bonner are interred there. In late 1930, Seaborn and Viola McMillan Bonner were instrumental in getting Memorial Services held at the cemetery each year the second Sunday in May. This created interest and the descendants met each year to prepare the cemetery for this service. In 1959 Gleney B. Bonner graciously donated more land adjacent to the cemetery which was cleared and landscaped to enlarge the cemetery and give ample space for parking, with a circling drive through the cemetery. The cemetery and parking area comprise three acres. On May 7, 1964 a double monument was purchased for Seaborn and Mary Bonner's grave. In 1965 a planning committee was formed: namely Odell Davidson, Coleman Newton, Dave Casey, Toney Doggette, Gleney B. Bonner, C.L. Thompson, Slater Jackson, Douglas Jackson, Biniam Gilbert, and Seth E. Bonner, with Seth E. Bonner as chairman. Mrs. Edith Barefield was elected secretary and treasurer, and Ruth B. Dicks the assistant. Under Seth E. Bonner's leadership. He also supervised the mowing of the cemetery. A pavilion or tabernacle was erected in 1967 with a dirt floor. In 1970, due to Seth E. Bonner's failing health, Gleney B. Bonner was elected to serve as President of the Bonner Memorial Association. Under the leadership of Gleney B. Bonner and his committee of Dan Cook, C.L. Thompson and P.M. Dicks, Jr., a concrete slab was poured for the tabernacle and an addition was built on the north side to house the tables. This project was completed in July 19171. Due to ill health, Mr. Edith Barefield resigned as secretary and treasurer and Ruth b. Dicks was elected. The historic Bonner granite marker was erected on the north east corner of the cemetery in memory of Seaborn and Mary Bonner in 1975. In April 1977 a savings fund was set up for the future perpetual care of the cemetery. This fund is growing. The Association has an operating fund to maintain the cemetery. These funds are made available by free will offerings. The following descendants of Seaborn and Mary Bonner have conduced services there: Reverend Andy L. Bonner (now deceased), Mr. Gleney B. Bonner, Reverend Eddie Broadhead, and Reverend Hermese Broadhead, and Reverend William P. Bonner (son of the late Reverend Andy L. Bonner). Mr. C.L. Thompson and his committee prepare a splendid program each year. Miss Estelle Bonner and Mrs. Hilda B. Speed are responsible for the bulletins. In 1978, Gerry S. Bonner and Marcus R. Bonner, sons of the late Seth E. Bonner, were elected to serve in his place. Reverend Hermese Broadhead graciously donated a piano to the Association and assisted the committee in preparing a place to store it. Miss Estelle Bonner donated 40 folding steel chairs to the Association, which helps to provide ample seating. In May 1975, the dedication of the historical granite maker was held. A brief history of Seaborn Bonner, Sr. was read by Marcus R. Bonner. Hubert Bonner, the sole surviving grandson of Seaborn Bonner, and Marcus R. Bonner unveiled the marker. Reverend Eddie Broadhead, great, great, great, grandson gave the invocation. In December 1983, under the leadership of Gleney B. Bonner, a chain-link fence was erected around the cemetery. Mr. Sammie Bonner operated the county bulldozer and prepared the ground for the fence. Slater Jackson assisted in preparing the ground for the fence. Gleney B. Bonner and wife Mildred K. Bonner, gave land for a parking lot on the north entrance to the cemetery. In 1984, Colonel, Chaplain William P. Bonner, son of the late Andy L. and Inez Bonner, who had traveled with his family from Richmond, Virginia twice to bring the memorial message went to the Lord. His is buried in a cemetery in Richmond, Virginia. In August 1989, the Association was saddened by the death of the President, Gleney B. Bonner and Mildred K. Bonner. Both are buried in the Bonner Memorial Cemetery. Gleney lived to see some of his dreams accomplished. The cemetery landscaped and beautified, and maintained by the Carlisle and Linder families. Reverend Hemese Broadhead paid special tribute to Gleney for his dedicated life, and the example and encouragement he gave to children and young people to live a good life and to do their very best. On May 10, 1990, Michael Speed was elected to serve as President of the Association. Under Michael's leadership: A drive was established around the outer edge of the cemetery on the west side. Steve Ratliff and his committee, Slater Jackson, Anna E. Ratliff, Michelle and John Ratliff, and Gray Speed surveyed the Cemetery and placed eight bronze makers in cement to identify boundaries. Steve drew a plan for marking grave plots, and prepared a grid for grave sites. A printed document was given to each family, including a map by name of all existing graves. A document was placed in the Choctaw County Public Library, and given to each local funeral director. Individual reservation sheets were passed out to those present. In 1992 an extension was added to the south side of the pavilion with tables and benches, donated by Estelle Bonner, Gray and Hilda Speed in memory of Gleney B. and Mildred K. Bonner. The pavilion was also painted. Steve Ratliff donated a glassed in case and attached it to the wall of the pavilion to preserve the records. If one wanted to find a grave, they could locate it on the grid. Azaleas from Gleney's plant nursery were planted among the trees on the North outer edge of the cemetery. By Ruth Bonner Dicks

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Bonner Memorial Cemetery is located at Toxey, Choctaw County ,Alabama ,USA.
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Latitude: 31.9122009
Longitude: -88.3383026

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Nearby Cemetories:

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7. Saint Paul United Methodist Church Cemetery
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12. B.F. Smith Memorial Cemetery
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13. Brightwater Cemetery
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Coordinate: 31.9724998, -88.3850021

14. Lusk Baptist Church Cemetery
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Coordinate: 31.9712450, -88.2875330

15. Mount Moriah Church Cemetery
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16. Stewart Cemetery
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17. Wimberly Cemetery
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18. Allen C Yates Family Cemetery
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19. Bogueloosa Valley Cemetery
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20. New Lusk Cemetery
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Coordinate: 31.9915530, -88.2944580

21. Barrytown Cemetery
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Coordinate: 31.8428001, -88.2658005

22. Hurricane Cemetery
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Coordinate: 31.8772700, -88.4517700

23. Harrison Cemetery
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Coordinate: 31.8108006, -88.3058014

24. Pleasant Hill Methodist Church Cemetery
Pleasant Hill, Choctaw County, USA
Coordinate: 31.9309000, -88.2160900

Bonner Memorial Cemetery

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