Bonnye Rich

Visitation for Bonnye M. Rich, 76, of Ruidoso will be Friday, Sept. 26, from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM at LaGrone Funeral Chapel with the funeral service at 9:30 AM in the Episcopal Church of the Holy Mount. Burial will follow at Ft. Stanton Cemetery. Mrs. Rich passed away Wednesday, Sept. 24, at her home. She was born February 21, 1932 at Channing, Texas to Ada and Olen Thomas who both precede her in death. Bonnye spent most of her early years in Amarillo, Texas. She was typical ranch kid who learned to ride horses at the age of 6 and was the best shot among 5 siblings, her 410 shotgun was a prized posession. She studied voice at the Musical Arts Conservatory in Amarillo and was an accomplished soloist as well as a proud member of the Amarillo High School Acappella Choir. She was baptised at a Baptist Church in Estancia, New Mexico at the age of 9. She helped coach a little league baseball team while in high school and belonged to a singing trio her senior year while attending Pecos High School where she graduated in 1950. Her life really began when she married Tim Rich on June 5, 1955 in Saligman, Missouri and celebrated their 53 wedding annniversary this past June. She worked at many jobs while raising her 4 children who never realized she was employed outside the home. Above all, she was always a lady. Bonnye is survived by her husband, Timothy Holman Tim Rich; daughter, Kim Partain and her husband Terry of Mesa, Arizona; daughter, Kelly Squyres and her husband Rusty of Pittsburg, Oklahoma; son, Todd Rich and his wife Betsy of Aurora, Texas; grandchildren, Joshua and Kerri Gordon, Rob and Sherri Smith, Clint and Kendra Partain, Lyndal and Chrystal Smith, Jay Squyres, Johathan and Jennifer Rich and Jamie Rich; great grandchildren, Hunter and Sami Smith, Kensley Partain, Colby and Caleb Squyres, Austin and Deacon Smith and Tyler Rich; a brother, Sol Thomas and his wife, Sandra; a sister, Ruthe Cochran and her husband Robert; many nieces, nephews and other family and dear friends. She was also preceded in death by a son and two brothers. The family has requested memorials to the Shriners Childrens Hospital or Innsbrook Village Country Club for a memorial bench.

Visitation

LaGrone Funeral Chapel of Ruidoso
341 Sudderth Dr.
Ruidoso, NM  88345
Friday, September 26, 2008
2:00 PM until 4:00 PM

Service

Memorial Service

Episcopal Church of the Holy Mount
121 Mescalero Trail
Ruidoso, NM  88340
Saturday, September 27, 2008
9:30 AM

Cemetery

Ft. Stanton Cemetery
Ft. Stanton Road
Ft. Stanton, NM  88323