ABINGDON, Va. Mrs. Bonnie Faye Cunningham Gilley, age 89, died Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011, at Grace Healthcare Center. She was born Oct. 20, 1922, in Washington County, Va. and was the daughter of the late Gordon and Nettie Cunningham. In her teens Bonnie attended Business College in Bluefield, W.Va. and later worked as a bookkeeper for the coal miners in Coalwood, W.Va. Later she and her husband, Delmar moved to Essex, Md. where she worked as a secretary for Martin Marietta. Afterwards, Bonnie and Delmar moved to Hancock, Md. where they enjoyed the country living. For the remaining years they lived in Abingdon. Bonnie loved gardening, raising flowers, reading books and going to movies, she was kind and gentle to everyone she met. Bonnie was of the Methodist faith and regularly attended the Methodist Church in Greendale, Va. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving and caring husband, Delmar Gilley and a brother, Clifford Cunningham. Survivors include two nieces, Glenda Thompson and husband, George, Clarksville, Tenn. and Martha (Marti) Whitt, Weber City, Va.; also a nephew and niece by marriage, Bill and Pat Price, Abingdon who took special care of her while she was at the Grace Healthcare Center; and a niece by marriage, Betty Schwartz and husband, George, Fredericksburg, Va. She is also survived by several cousins in the local area. The family would like to extend their appreciation to the staff of Grace Healthcare Center and the staff of Hospice of Southwest Virginia for their love and affection they showed Bonnie. The funeral service will be conducted Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, at 8 p.m. in the Frost Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Harley Farmer officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:30 until 8 p.m. prior to the service. Committal services will be Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011, at 11 a.m. in the Knollkreg Memorial Park Mausoleum Chapel. Those attending are asked to gather at the mausoleum by 10:50 a.m. Honorary pallbearers will be the men of Grace Healthcare Center. A book of memories is provided online at www.frostfuneralhome.com Frost Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 250 E. Main St., Abingdon, VA, 276-628-2131, is honored to serve the family of Mrs. Gilley.

Published in Bristol Herald Courier from December 11 to December 12, 2011