Bonnie Jean Lane Heard

Long-time educator, mentor, and community leader Bonnie Jean Lane Heard passed away on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at the age of 86 years old. She was born October 15, 1937, to the union of Lonzie Lane and Ella Mae Graham in Wyatt, Missouri, and was raised by Leondas Lane, Sr., and Millie Graham Lane.

Bonnie lived and grew up most of her life in Wilson City and Wyatt, Missouri where she served as a steadfast and devoted member of her community. She was a faithful member of Sanders Chapel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Wyatt, Missouri, from her childhood until its doors closed. Bonnie remained committed to the AME Church throughout her lifetime by serving as a dedicated member of Perry Chapel AME Church in Charleston, Missouri, until her passing. Throughout her lifetime, she served as the Church Secretary, a Class Leader, a Missionary, a Trustee, a Choir Member, and a member of the Praise Dance Ministry.

In 1957, Bonnie graduated Valedictorian from Lincoln High School in Charleston, Missouri. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, in 1965.

While attending college, Bonnie met the love of her life, Preston Heard, Sr., in 1957. The couple married in 1960 and shared a life of love, teaching, mentoring, and community service throughout Southeast Missouri for 64 years.

Bonnie’s professional career commenced as a Substitute Teacher in both Mississippi and Scott Counties in Missouri. From 1965 to 1968, she worked for the University of Missouri and educated local communities in nutrition and home economics across Southeast Missouri. During this time, Bonnie authored a book on preparing delicious and nutritious meals with commodity food, which was published and distributed throughout a six-county area to low-income families, including those in Mississippi County, Scott County, New Madrid County, Pemiscot County, Dunklin County, and Butler County. In 1968, she embarked on her love for teaching the next generations and worked for the Charleston R-1 School District, serving as the Home Economics Teacher at Charleston Junior High where she worked for over 28 years.

Even in retirement, Bonnie remained committed to community enrichment and to sharing the importance of higher education. For those she came in contact, Bonnie emphasized the significance of acquiring knowledge, attentive listening, critical thinking, problem solving, being resilient, and achieving tangible results.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her mothers, Ella Mae Graham and Millie Graham Lane; her fathers, Lonzie Lane and Leondas Lane, Sr.; her brother, Leondas Lane, Jr.; her daughter, Rhonda Ann Heard; and her brother-in-law Larry Briggs.

Bonnie leaves to celebrate her life, and to continue her legacy, her loving husband, Preston Heard, Sr.; her children Lorelei Danita (Jeffery Sr.) Allen, Pamala Heard (Charles) Rush, Preston Heard, Jr., and William Sr. (Maryann) Heard; her grandchildren Jeffery Allen, Jr., Xavier Rush, Jencia (Marcus) Denham, Jamian Rush, Bonnae Rush, William Heard, Jr., Caleb Heard, and Anaya Smith; her dear sister Glenda Briggs; her sister-in-law Ollie Lane; and a host of very special nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives.

A visitation will be held Friday, May 31, 2024 from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at Perry Chapel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, Missouri. Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 4:00 P.M. at the United Methodist Church in Charleston with Pastor Carolyn Kent of Perry Chapel A.M.E. church officiating. Interment will immediately follow services in Oak Grove Cemetery in Charleston. The Williams Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.