Bonnie Sue Morray

Bonnie Sue (Colwell) Morray was born into this world November 27, 1929.  She died August 29, from complications of Covid-19.  She was the daughter of Willard and Stella (Darnell) Colwell and the youngest of five children.  Bonnie was also the last aunt of this generation to many nieces and nephews.   Bonnie grew up west of Emporia on the Colwell Leghorn farm. She graduated from Emporia High School and attended KSTC.

Bonnie married Norman H. Morray, Sr. March 25, 1948. They lived in Emporia, Toronto and then spent 33 years in Madison.  She was a past member of the United Methodist Church in Madison, W.S.C.S., Civic Culture Club, Madison Golf Assoc. and Madison Eastern Star Chapter 350.

Bonnie was a homemaker but spent 10 years working at the Madison News Office mastering the linotype machine.  She also drove a school bus several years for Madison students.  She and Norm returned to Emporia in 1984 and resided in the home she was born in.  She worked at the Emporia Shopper until retiring in 1993. They lived at the farm until moving to long-term care.  While in Emporia, she became a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Emporia Women’s Golf Association, the American legion and the V.F.W. Auxiliary.  Bonnie is survived by four children; Norman Morray, Jr. of Hutchinson, Carol (Morray) Banister of Edmond , Oklahoma,  Brian Morray (Jana) of Gridley, Tamie Fleming (Don) of Ward, Arkansas, plus eight grandchildren, Ashley Banister-Riley (Patrick) and Caleb Banister (Maddie); Erinn Krampe (Justin), Nathan Morray (Christina), and Hannah Morray; Molly, Tyler, and Austin Fleming.  She is also survived by ten great grandchildren with one on the way.

She was preceded in death by her husband Norman of 69 years, infant son Paul Gregory, her parents and siblings Helen Smith, Kenneth Colwell, Mildred York and Bill Colwell.

Bonnie’s life was full of things she enjoyed which included going to auctions, collecting antiques before collecting was the thing to do, toll painting, ceramic painting, playing bridge and spending many hours on the golf course.  She never said, but we know she enjoyed beating dad at the game.

She was an excellent seamstress and cook, and spent several years teaching these crafts as a 4-H Leader for the Madison Pacesetters.  Bonnie would work late into the night sewing cheerleading outfits for Madison High School cheerleaders.  Her family enjoyed her Sunday dinners, homemade apple sauce, pies, fried chicken, peanut brittle and fudge.  She could come up with a good meal from anything.  Except the meatloaf, which won’t be reviewed at this time.

As her grandchildren grew, so did her passion in attending as many of their activities as possible. The purpose of her life was her children and grandchildren.  She didn’t have to be involved in an activity to enjoy her family.  Watching, smiling, and listening to the banter was absolutely good enough.  She is greatly missed.

Graveside services will be held at 1:30 p.m. at Memorial Lawn Cemetery on Friday, September 4.  Bonnie requested memorials to the Emporia Zoo which she greatly enjoyed visiting and can be sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home.