Palestine High School Alumni Association

Bonnie Louise Cross Feather

11 / 27 / 1922  –  01 / 03 / 1922

Memorial services for Bonny Cross Feather, 84, of Palestine, will be at 1 p.m. Monday at the First Christian Church with Dr. Jerry Elrod officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Bailey & Foster Funeral Home, Palestine.  Mrs. Feather died Wednesday at the Weston Inn Hospice at Scott & White Hospital in Temple.

She was born November 27, 1922, eldest daughter of Maggie Joe and Durnal Cross of Anderson County. She graduated from Palestine High School in 1939. She attended the University of Texas 1940-1941 and numerous other colleges and universities from California to Mississippi, graduating from the University of Arizona with a BA in education in 1959 and an M.Ed in 1964. Earning her nursing degree at age 52, she worked as a RN in Washington, DC, Granada, MS., Jacksonville, FL., and Oral Roberts Hospital in Tulsa, Okla.

She worked in an aircraft factory in Fort Worth and Marietta, Ga. during WWII. Mrs. Feather met her future husband, Leroy , in Galveston when a handsome young man with a new little red car spotted her on the street. They married August 4, 1945, in Hannibal, Mo. while he was on leave after serving 27 months in the South Pacific with the Seabees, 47th battalion. They returned to Galveston where she stayed as he returned to service in California. Their daughter Bonise was born in 1946, followed by Leroy Jr. in 1950.

During early years of marriage the family moved often as Leroy’s civilian employer posted him to industrial construction jobs throughout the United States. Bonny raised children and attended colleges, picking up credits over 17 years in seven colleges until graduation in 1959 at the University of Arizona.

She began teaching third grade in 1960 in Tucson, Ariz. where they made their home. In 1962 she earned her private pilot’s license, opening new horizons as well as quicker travel to Leroy’s postings in California and her parents in Texas.

Over four decades, she flew her Cessna 172 and later her Grob motor glider with family and friends throughout the United States, Canada and Alaska as well as brief (somewhat unintentional) flights to Mexico. She was a member of the International Organization of Women Pilots, the 99’s since 1964, a member of chapters in Tucson, California, Houston, and South Louisiana, and contributed to numerous service activities. The Texas Dogwood Chapter honored her with an inscribed paver in the Texas section of the International Forest of Friendship in Atchison, KS. (home of Amelia Earhart). She flew into her 80’s.

She volunteered throughout her life. She was a Boy Scout and Girl Scout leader. She served on the board for the American Red Cross and taught CPR and first aid for many years. She was a campground volunteer in Wisconsin, and Garner State Park in Texas. She went to Poland with Global Volunteers to teach children English as a second language, and to Midway Island/Atoll to observe and record an endangered species of the seals. She worked as a volunteer race monitor at the Shreveport Hot Air Balloon races. She served as a Texas Department of Aging Ombudsman at the Greenbrier Nursing Home in Palestine until her relocation to Temple in July 2006.

During her 50’s she operated a small cow/calf operation in Anderson County during her husband’s lengthy absences on construction assignments. In 1979 they made Palestine their permanent residence.

She attended Grace United Methodist Church as a child and resumed her attendance when she and Leroy returned to Palestine.

An incorrigible hobbyist, Bonny’s home was a testament to her passions and interests. Most recently, rock hounding produced specimens from many field trips, and friendships among the East Texas Gem and Mineral Society. She was a member of the Palestine Opsimath, a seniors’ creative writing group. Her RV was her vehicle of choice for domestic wanderlust, but trips to Ireland, and the United Kingdom, Europe, New Zealand, the Canadian Arctic Circle, Mexico and the wilderness areas of Alaska were opportunities to meet interesting people in youth hostels, tent campgrounds as well as castles, private homes and other odd spots. She eschewed tour groups for the independence offered by a car or Eurorail pass. Her collection of witches (the first women pilots) and turtles (who carry their homes on their backs) were a source of whimsy and memories.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Leroy Feather in 1996; brother, Harris Hollan Cross; sisters, Shirley Johnson and Carolyn Yancey. She is survived by her son, Leroy, Jr. (Bud) of Temple; daughter, Bonise of Philadelphia, and their spouses, her brother and sister-in-law Durnal and Ruby Cross Jr. of Riverside. She leaves behind eight grandchildren, four great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends with a reception at the First Christian Church following the service.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to Palestine Crisis Center, c/o Donald Hammock, 313 W. Debard, Palestine, TX. 75801, or to the Heifer International, at www.heifer.org.

Source: Palestine Herald-Press 01-07-2007