Bonnie Monteith Croom Ashley

Celebration of life:  January 10, 3:00 pm at Blanco Methodist Church

Bonnie Monteith Croom Ashley , born in Monroe, Louisiana on November 27, 1931, to Helen Monteith Breese Croom and David Lawton Croom. (Her mother was hospitalized for 10 days after her birth at a cost of $50.) She had one beloved brother, Ted Croom and sister-in-law, Linda.

Bonnie passed away peacefully on December 5, 2024, in Austin, Texas surrounded by her children.

She received  a Bachelor's Degree from North Texas State, where, while serving on student council, she met James Ashley, a Louisiana boy!!! Their first date was to see the Harlem Globetrotters. Their wedding in 1952 was the very first to be held in the new Methodist Church in Monahans, Texas. They were married for 58 years.

Bonnie and Jim had 4 Children: James (Shelly); Michael (Donna); Eric (Jackie); and Elise (Joel Walker) and previously (Jeff Wright).

12  Grand-Children: Aubree Layton (Patrick); West Ashley (Paige); Joshua Ashley (Katie); Rachael Ashley (Will); Emily Ashley (Hayden): Jacob Ashley (Allie); Chandler Ashley; Garrett Wright (Amy); Cody Wright (Jessica); Hunter Wright (Kalie) ; Justin Wright (Brooke); and Hannah Walker (Kenny).

17 ½ Great Grand-Children: James Layton, Avery Layton, Brendan Layton, Grace Layton, Hayden Ashley, Brock Ashley, Austin Ashley, Johnny Ashley, Annie Ashley, Sutton Wright; Aiya Wright; Dean Baker; Clara Wright; Charlotte Wright; Reese Walker; Jaxson Jouett; and Kennedy Jouett; and baby Wright due in April.

Bonnie and Jim moved often, as he was frequently promoted with Southwestern Bell. They lived in Arlington, Dallas, Denton, Denison, Lubbock, Abilene, Topeka, St. Louis, and San Antonio. They finally settled in Blanco, their home for many years.

When Jim became ill with dementia, they moved to Kerrville to live near Eric and Jackie. In his final years, Jim resided at the VA Hospital, where Bonnie's daily presence brightened the day of many Veterans. She devoted her life to visiting and caring for him daily until Jim passed in 2010.  Bonnie later married a high school friend, and moved back to Monahans, Texas. She was so happy to be back in Monahans, where she had so many heartfelt memories. Later she returned to live in Blanco with Mike and Donna.  Her last three years were spent living with Elise and Joel in Dripping Springs, with Jimmie, Shelly, Mike and Donna assisting often.

Bonnie was very proud of her family heritage.  In 1901 her Grandparents, Houston and Carrie Monteith, and their family of 10 floated down the Mississippi River from Ohio, to Monroe, Louisiana on a houseboat Houston built named "The Welcome".

Bonnie grew up in numerous towns throughout Louisiana and Texas. While living in New London, TX in 1937 her father assisted after the infamous explosion at a school. In Kilgore, TX her father took the family to witness an oil well blow. He was covered with oil and smiling from ear to ear. When a tornado hit Mooringsport, LA, a neighbor yelled to run for your lives, her mother grabbed Bonnie and Ted's hands and they ran to the safety of large trees on the high bank of Caddo Lake, where she witnessed their 2 story house spinning in the air and landing halfway in the street. A treasured punch bowl survived, landing undamaged in the yard, and the chicken coop was untouched. In Wickett, Bonnie was misdiagnosed with Leukemia. The illness, which later turned out to be mono, caused her to miss a year of school, but allowed her to drive at an early age. In Monahans, she was part of the State Champion Lobo Marching Band her Senior year.

Bonnie was a devoted and steadfast wife, and mother. She spoke with her beloved niece Annie almost every night! Bonnie was instrumental in establishing the Good Samaritan thrift shop in Blanco. Her legacy of kindness, generosity, and graciousness continues. She was a lady, had a rare beauty, and was a True Southern Bell. She never met a stranger and was known for welcoming and feeding anyone that entered her home, including strays. She absolutely loved to paint anything, anytime, anywhere. She loved to mow, sit in the sun, nap, hold any pet available (especially Rufus), and be entertained by her grandkids.

Granny's home was always full of numerous grandkids, running around like wild Indians, playing in the river, riding horses, building forts, driving Papa's suburban, watching tv, eating lemon drops and peppermints, and, after a home cooked meal, settling in for the night on a pallet on the floor. Granny had a special whistle to call the kids in for dinner. The same whistle she used to talk to birds.

Bonnie was truly a woman of faith, having attended the last Billy Graham Crusade in New Orleans in 2006. At the age of 74, along with brother in law David Leblanc, wife, Camille, and daughter, Annie. She walked forth and accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior that night, "just to make sure!"

SHE ALWAYS LIT UP THE ROOM!

Many thanks and Blessings to the staff of Hill Country Rehab in Dripping Springs. Memorial contributions can be made to Good Samaritan Center, a Thrift Shop located at 607 Chandler St., Blanco, Tx. 78606.  (blancogoodsam.org)

IN HER OWN WORDS:

CHAPTER 1:

"My name is Bonnie Ashley, born in Monroe, Louisiana on November 27, 1931. Think Quachita Parish Hospital – Mom and Dad were married in Monroe and went to Havana on their honeymoon. My mother was teaching out in Swartz. My dad had come to Monroe to race in a race boat competition and they met there. Moved to Kilgore, Texas, or several miles outside of Kilgore.  Lots of oil wells.  Lived in shotgun house. I remember picking blackberries down by the rail road tract, bought banana popsicles at grocery store at Laird Hill.  There was a school explosion in New London, a few miles from us. Many kids were killed. My dad went to see if he could be of any help. He helped carry out little children who had been injured or killed.

Ted was maybe two or so, playing around moms sewing machine, reached up and pulled mom's scissors off the machine and hit him right in the eye, blinding him in that eye.  pulled scissors off mom's sewing machine and was blinded in one eye he was 2-3 years old. One day dad came home, told us to get warm closing – going to see oil well come in. We were asleep in the car when dad called to tell us well was getting ready to blow.  And did it blow. Dad was covered with black oil. All you could see were his eyes, grinning and so excited. His nickname was Icky. He had been working with H.L. Hunt in Arkansas. They rode horses from property to property buying up leases. His horse was a little smaller or his legs were a little longer and they nicknamed him Icky for Ickybob Crane. His legs (no saddles) nearly touched the ground, and they called him Icky Bob Crane.

From Kilgore, moved to Shreveport, LA and then to Mooringsport, LA. Dad transferred to work for Gulf Oil. Used to make mudpies and eat 'em. So good; a little grainey tho. My dad had car wreck while we lived in Shreveport. Went to Nacogdoches for some reason. Went through the windshield and cut off part of his nose. Then moved to Mooringsport. While there Ted had to have his eye removed. Mom went out to the outhouse (the john) and a water moccasin snake bit her on her heel. A young Dr had moved to town. Didn't know about moccasins snake bites (from up North.) People told him make incision and suck out poison then put coal oil on it (kerosine). Moved up in Mooringsport to lake front of Caddo Lake. In our first house, we were robbed. Someone came in one night, propped open doors and stole a very fancy clock.  It had been my grandmothers. We slept through the whole night, not discovering the loss till the next morning. House was about 2-3 stories with wrap around porch. One day, I decided to slip off from home to a neighbor. Somehow someone looked out and yelled 'Tornado; run for your lives'. They all ran to a storm shelter across the road at a neighbors; All but me, I headed home. Mom, holding Ted's hand, came running toward me and we all ran to a drop down to the lake. Big trees, all around us. The tornado hit our home, off it's foundation and plopped it down, one half onto road, one half in yard. It left an old chicken house and Teds new chickens or ducks, completely unscathed and intact. Sent my grandmother's punch bowl, which she had hand painted (JIM and SHELLY have this bowl) out the door and was found in the yard unbroken. At the beginning of WW II, we were transferred to Wickett. Rode a train from Shreveport to Wickett all night. When mother got off the train, she looked all around and said 'this is absolutely the ugliest place or country I have ever seen.

About 10 years old was diagnosed with Leukemia. The blood slides were broken in the shipment to Dallas for definite diagnosis, but Dr;'s office failed to notify my mom.  A year or so later she was in Drs office with a friend. Told Dr 'you should see my lil daughter, she is doing so well.  She has Leukemia you remember. Dr. looked at mother and said, "Oh no Mrs. Croom, she didn't have leukemia, she had mono."  Mom said she nearly fainted.  Mother worked for Cabbot after a short time at Pyote Airforce Base, a carbon black plant. All or about air force the men between 18-40 were in the service & women had to run the plant.  We were now living in the bunkhouse – called that because it was built for single men who just bunked there. No kitchen, bath or laundry room. Gulf had converted into two apartments and we got one. Ted and I dug a hole for swimming to be filled by rainwater – about once a year. Some of the kids in the Gulf camps and I used to get together and walked the railroad tracks to rattlesnake cave, it was called. We walked once to Million Barrel Tank in Monahans and the swimming pool. From Wickett we moved down towards Monahans about 4 miles to the Gulf Camp. I was 14 or 15 years old when we moved to the Gulf Camp in high School. Trey Edwards first boyfriend. Made move to 2nd house in camp with 3 bedrooms. So excited. Mom and Dad lived the rest of their lives there.

Had Mom and Dad live with Jim and I in San Antonio where they both passed in 1975, just 12 days apart.

Married Jim in August, 16, 1952. Married 58 years. 4 children. Absolutely the most wonderful in the whole world. Jim passed away in 2010, June 19. Age 80 or 81 – can't remember. Jim was with SW Bell. We lived all over, starting in Fort Worth, Wichita Falls, Lubbock (twice) Denton, bought a home, Arlington.

After High School, the Neal Brothers went to North Texas State University. I didn't know about colleges. Roomed with JoAnn Fowler (a friend from high school) long enough to realize I didn't'  particularly like JoAnn. Met Jim, thought he was good looking. We were both on the student council. While voting, I noticed he voted on something, and I voted the way he voted. Anyway, he asked me to go on a date. Our first date we went to see Harlem Globe Trotters on Campus. We walked cause he didn't own a car. I worked in the bookstore; I think for $.67 per hour. One day he came to the bookstore, I was all giddy. Found out he was from New Orleans, a Louisiana boy. Plus one.  Found out he had lived in West Monroe, Plus two. Had a little tiff. A fraternity brother, Squeeky Davis, invited me to go to a dance with him and I accepted. Who showed up with a girl on each arm, Jim. Made me jealous. Anyway, it worked. We got back together. He had already graduated and accepted a job with SW Bell. He bought a brand new two door ford. He proposed to me. (Although, he remembered it another way, he always said I asked him to marry me.

Ch. 2: Introduction to In-laws:

We had already been out to West Texas to meet my mom, dad, and brother, who was home from A&M. Mom had fixed a road with veggies, which was a big hit with Jim. Then headed out to New Orleans. Spent the night with Mrs. Bozeman in Fort Worth. Jim lived there. She had a son, think his name was Jim also.  A Good friend of my Jims. Got up the next morning and drove on down to LSU University. Very impressed with campus and saw Mike the Tiger. Jim had gone here two and a half years before transferring over to N.T. State. His G.I. Bill had expired and he had to go to a cheaper school. He graduated there, North Texas State. In New Orleans met Mr. & Mrs. Ashley. Their daughter Camille and her husband Dave. Very nice. Think there was D.J., Larry & John. Had either pork chops or Meat balls & Spaghetti. Delicious. Later Lil Annie Came along. And what a blessing. Home was always full, mainly family.

Camille and Dave 3 boys; later Annie. Jack and Pinkie, Jim's brother Larry and Uncle Slim. A whole other chapter. We always went down to the French Quarter for coffee and donuts and to visit lil shops.

Traveled to College Station while in College – what was she part of, where pretty blue picture was taken???

While with SW Bell, Jimmy born in Denton; Michael in Monahans; Eric in Dennison; and Elise in Lubbock. Spent time in Topeka Kansas, St. Louis, Missouri, and then to San Antonio.  Moved to Blanco in 1974-75? After…

From Kilgore, moved to Shreveport, LA and then to Mooringsport, LA. Dad transferred to work for Gulf Oil. Used to make mudpies and eat 'em. So good; a little grainey tho. My dad had car wreck while we lived in Shreveport. Went to Nacogdoches for some reason. Went through the windshield and cut off part of his nose. Then moved to Mooringsport. While there Ted had to have his eye removed. Mom went out to the outhouse (the john) and a water moccasin snake bit her on her heel. A young Dr had moved to town. Didn't know about moccasins snake bites (from up North.) People told him make incision and suck out poison then put coal oil on it (kerosine). Moved up in Mooringsport to lake front of Caddo Lake. In our first house, we were robbed. Someone came in one night, propped open doors and stole a very fancy clock.  It had been my grandmothers. We slept through the whole night, not discovering the loss till the next morning. House was about 2-3 stories with wrap around porch. One day, I decided to slip off from home to a neighbor. Somehow someone looked out and yelled 'Tornado; run for your lives'. They all ran to a storm shelter across the road at a neighbors; All but me, I headed home. Mom, holding Ted's hand, came running toward me and we all ran to a drop down to the lake. Big trees, all around us. The tornado hit our home, off it's foundation and plopped it down, one half onto road, one half in yard. It left an old chicken house and Teds new chickens or ducks, completely unscathed and intact. Sent my grandmother's punch bowl, which she had hand painted (JIM and SHELLY have this bowl) out the door and was found in the yard unbroken.

At the beginning of WW II, we were transferred to Wickett. Rode a train from Shreveport to Wickett all night. When mother got off the train, she looked all around and said 'this is absolutely the ugliest place or country I have ever seen.'

About 10 years old was diagnosed with Leukemia. The blood slides were broken in the shipment to Dallas for definite diagnosis, but Dr;'s office failed to notify my mom.  A year or so later she was in Drs office with a friend. Told Dr 'you should see my lil daughter, she is doing so well.  She has Leukemia you remember. Dr. looked at mother and said, "Oh no Mrs. Croom, she didn't have leukemia, she had mono."  Mom said she nearly fainted.  Mother worked for Cabbot after a short time at Pyote Airforce Base, a carbon black plant. All or about air force the men between 18-40 were in the service & women had to run the plant.  We were now living in the bunkhouse – called that because it was built for single men who just bunked there. No kitchen, bath or laundry room. Gulf had converted into two apartments and we got one. Ted and I dug a hole for swimming to be filled by rainwater – about once a year. Some of the kids in the Gulf camp and I used to get together and walked the railroad tracks to rattlesnake cave, it was called. We walked once to Million Barrel Tank in Monahans and the swimming pool. From Wickett we moved down towards Monahans about 4 miles to the Gulf Camp. I was 14 or 15 years old when we moved to the Gulf Camp. In high School Trey Edwards was my first boyfriend. Made move to 2nd house in camp with 3 bedrooms. So excited. Mom and Dad lived the rest of their lives there.

Had Mom and Dad live with Jim and I in San Antonio where they both passed in 1975, just 12 days apart.

Married Jim in August, 16, 1952. Married 58 years. 4 children. Absolutely the most wonderful in the whole world. Jim passed away in 2010, June 19. Age 80 or 81 – can't remember. Jim was with SW Bell. We lived all over, starting in Fort Worth, Wichita Falls, Lubbick (twice) Denton, bought a home, Arlington.

After High School, the Neal Brothers went to North Texas State University. I didn't know about colleges. Roomed with JoAnn Fowler (a friend from high school) long enough to realize I didn't'  particularly like JoAnn. Met Jim, thought he was good looking. We were both on the student council. While voting, I noticed he voted on something, and I voted the way he voted. Anyway, he asked me to go on a date. Our first date we went to see Harlem Globe Trotters on Campus. We walked cause he didn't own a car. I worked in the bookstore; I think for $.67 per hour. One day he came to the bookstore, I was all giddy. Found out he was from New Orleans, a Louisiana boy. Plus one.  Found out he had lived in West Monroe, Plus two. Had a little tiff. A fraternity brother, Squeeky Davis, invited me to go to a dance with him and I accepted. Who showed up with a girl on each arm, Jim. Made me jealous. Anyway, it worked. We got back together. He had already graduated and accepted a job with SW Bell. He bought a brand new two door ford. He proposed to me. (Although, he remembered it another way, he always said I asked him to marry me.

Traveled to College Station while in College –she was a cotton queen, where pretty blue picture was taken.