WELLINGTON – Bonnie June Tirey passed away on Saturday morning, December 11, 2021 at her home in Wellington, Kansas at the age of 81. She was born the daughter of William F. and Madge (Caskey) Tirey on March 10, 1940 in Ralls, Texas.
Bonnie was raised in Littlefield, Texas, and graduated from Lubbock High. She attended Texas Tech University where she received her B.A., M.A. in Spanish and French. She served 7 years in the Foreign Service in Mali, Mexico City and Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Bonnie passionately served the Lord and became a missionary with the Church of Christ, supported mostly by Crieve Hall in Nashville, 1972-74, and 1991-2001, in Ivory Coast. 1976-1991 she taught French and Spanish in Orange, Texas, and 2001-2005 in Kyle and Hillsboro, TX. Bonnie retired from teaching school in 2005 and moved to Wellington, KS to live with her sister. She made several trips back to Ivory Coast from 2002-2010 and mission trips to Belize and New Caledonia in 2013-2014.
She was deeply involved in her family history and wrote several books on her genealogical studies.
At church, teaching, or even overseas Bonnie never met a stranger. Bonnie knew her Bible. She was so well versed in the Bible and was not afraid to correct anyone.
Bonnie was known to spoil her nieces and nephews and treasured her great and great-great nieces, nephews and their families. Bonnie treated them as though they were her own and made every effort to be present in their lives.
Survivors include her sister, Patsy Pierce of Wellington, Kansas; sister-in-law, Jerry Tirey of Rockwall, Texas; brother-in-law, Luis Delgadillo of San Marcos, Texas; nephew, David Pierce and his children: Elise Wartick (John) and Wade Pierce (Emily); niece, Teresa Callaway, her husband Scott and their children: Tasha Stone (Clint), Patricia Scott (Brick) and Hunter Callaway; niece, Marina Tirey; niece, Lisa Tirey-Butler, her husband Michael and their children: Annika and Gracie; great-niece, Lexi Tirey Irvine; great-nephew, Tyler Tirey-Irvine; niece, Vanessa Mir, her husband Atiq and their children: Adler, Vera, Tate; nephew, Patrick Delgadillo, his wife Anne and their children: Maria, Gabriel, Joshua, Gwendolyn, Bethany and Emily; niece, Michelle Delgadillo; nephew, David Delgadillo along with numerous great-great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Donald “Don” Tirey; sister, Wilma Jean Delgadillo; niece, Caroline Tirey Irvine; niece, Teresa Pierce; great-niece, Tiffini Callaway and great-nephew, James Tirey Butler.
A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 15, 2021 with the family present to receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Funeral services for Bonnie will begin at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 16, 2021 at the Wellington Church of Christ, Wellington, Kansas. Interment will follow at Prairie Lawn Cemetery, Wellington, Kansas.
Memorial contributions can be given in her name to the Wellington Church of Christ Missionary Fund, 217 West 13th Street, Wellington, Kansas 67152. Contributions can be mailed or left with the funeral home.
Share a memory, leave condolences or sign her digital tribute wall at www.cornejofuneralhome.com.
Arrangements by Cornejo Funeral Home + Crematory, 1030 Mission Road, Wellington, Kansas.
