Bonnie Marie Essman

Bonnie Darnell was born on May 9, 1931 to Jessie and Elsie Darnell in

Waldron, Arkansas.  She was one of 7 children born to the Darnells.  Her siblings included J.C. Darnell, J.B. Darnell, Cleo Lasiter, infant sister Lillie Maxine Darnell, Glen Darnell and Wanda Young.

Bonnie is survived by her sister Wanda Young of Hobbs, and brother J.B. Darnell of Idaho, daughter Elsie (Steve) Jones of Eunice, grandchildren: Stephanie Williams of Eunice, Charlotte (Alan) Worley of Levelland, and Douglas (Diane) Jones of Andrews,  great- grandchildren: Megan (Dustin) Frank, Nicole Worley, Alanna Worley, Deegan Jones, and Dax Jones, great- great grandchildren: Aiden Frank and Rylee Frank, sisters-in law:  Ellen Mae Essman of McKinney, Texas and Lou Essman of Salem, Oregon, and special friend: Linda Rogers and her mother, Grandma.

She married Leo Essman on  March 1, 1947 and he passed away on March 8, 2010.  She was also preceded in death by her parents,  4 siblings, 14 in-laws, and several other relatives all truly loved by her.

In 2006, Bonnie was honored as Eunice's Citizen of the Year, something she was very proud of!  You might remember seeing her working at The Little School Store, Ben Franklin's, or as a custodian at Mettie Jordan Elementary School. OR perhaps, you have eaten one of her best cookies ever (as many people have called them).  She was known as Granny, Mrs. Bonnie, and more often as The Cookie Lady!!

The family remembers one Christmas she made 300 dozen cookies. Yes, I  said 300 DOZEN.

Granny was always “there” for Elsie, her grandchildren, great and great-greats. Need a babysitter, call Granny, need something sewed call Granny, need some money or a gift, if she had it it was yours, need cookies the next day or even in a few hours call Granny.  Always “there” and without complaining about it.  Even many of the relatives lived with Bonnie and Leo and Elsie with all the support and love you could ask for. Elsie was an only child by birth, but hardly ever did just the 3 of them live in the Essman household.

Just a quick note of appreciation:  Thank you to all those who sent her over 175 ninety birthday cards. She so enjoyed them and read and reread them in her last days.