The Elevator Operator SPECIAL EPISODE

Bonnie Lee Bates ( Blackwell) was born on January 30th, 1923 in Chillicothe, Ohio to Russell & Iantha Bates. Her faith became a sight when she went to be with the lord on August 11th, 2023.

During WW2 Bonnie was a member of the famed Rosie the Riveters. She worked at Curtis Wright in Columbus, Ohio on P-38 warplanes, riveting the fuselage to the rest of the plane. After the war, she worked several jobs, eventually landing at Nationwide Insurance, where she retired after 31 years.

Bonnie was married to William Newt Thomas and had 2 daughters, Barbara & Claudia. After some time she remarried George ( Paw Paw) Blackwell and relocated to Plain City, Ohio in Frazier Estates.

She was a longtime member of St. Joseph Catholic church in Plain City. And she & George enjoyed entertaining friends & family at their home for years. If you wanted some good fried chicken & catfish Bon & Paw Paws. Was the place to be!

Bonnie had 13 brothers & sisters while growing up in Chillicothe. She was proceeded in death by her parents Russell & Iantha, Husband George ( Paw Paw) Blackwell, Siblings Marjorie, Erma (Snooks), Betty, Elmira, Nancy, Linda (Winnie), Russell (Snuffy), Stephen (Sonny), Mike & Dennis and Grandson Eric Chilton.

Her life will continue to be cherished by her daughters Barb (Jim) Chilton, Claudia Vancleaf, Siblings Mary Alice ( Chuck) & Rodger Bates, Grandchildren Gregory ( Karen ) Gary, Wendy (Chris) Johnson, Kris (Keah) Chilton, Karen (Kendall) Hill, Ivy ( Paul ) Cook and a host of great & great-great-grandchildren. Plus many nieces, nephews, friends & family knew her as Bon and or Aunt Lee.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate the life of Bonnie on 09/03/23 at 2:00 pm at 8581 Frazier Drive. Plain City, Ohio 43064. 

Broadcast Hosted By LLR Ohio