Mrs. Bonnie W. Nutt, 88, passed into glory on Nov. 23, from the Covington Manor Nursing Home in Covington. Mrs. Nutt was preceded in death by her husband and caregiver John Warren Nutt, husband of 62 years.
Bonnie Dean Walker was born at home in Birmingham, Ala., on July 8, 1924, to William Edward and Evelyn Walker. W.E. Walker was a local grocer and butcher. Sister Patsy was born when Bonnie was 5, and cousin Julia Russell joined the family during Bonnie's teen years. Bonnie studied dramatic expression and won a jitter-bug dance contest. Bonnie graduated in 1942 from the New Georgia Community of Jefferson County High School, Birmingham. Bonnie graduated from Auburn in 1945 and was employed as a home economist for two years. She graduated in 1950 from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas with master's degree in religious education. At Southwestern Seminary, she met Warren Nutt and married him June 18, 1948.
Bonnie and Warren Nutt served churches in Arkansas (Trinity Baptist, Texarkana), Alabama (First Baptist, Georgiana, and Arbor Baptist, Pell City), and Georgia (South Broad Baptist, Rome; National Hills Mission, then later Church, Augusta; Virginia Avenue Baptist Church, Atlanta, Jackson Hills Baptist Church, Atlanta). They had four children: Karen (1950), Terry (1952), Kathy (1954) and David (1957). Bonnie taught school: five years in Augusta and 22 years in Atlanta, the last 10 with gifted students. She retired after teaching 27 years, in 1987. Bonnie and Warren Nutt kept busy in volunteer church work with First Baptist Atlanta. They worked with college students, often inviting guests for Sunday dinner in their home. Bonnie and Warren also developed an independent Amway business which provided additional income, personal growth and opportunities to invest in the lives of others. Bonnie and Warren traveled in Israel, Europe, Alaska, Mexico, British Isles, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and nearly all the United States.
In 1993, they sold their Atlanta home and ministered one year in Kona Baptist Church, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Next, they settled in Lawrenceville (1994-2004) and assisted with Pastoral Care of Mission Service Core Volunteers, Home Mission Board, Southern Baptist Convention (1996-2004). At First Baptist Church, Lilburn, Bonnie mentored internationals, and taught English as a second language. In 2004, they moved to Covington, where Warren willing accepted the privilege of caring for Bonnie as her health declined. Their home church became First Baptist, Social Circle. Bonnie expressed her creativity and love by making gifts for others through crafts, sewing clothing, making cloth dolls, making ceramics, or stinging beads into necklaces and bracelets.
Bonnie entered full-time care in June 2008. She gave and received love to the end. Her infrequent yet common utterance in the Nursing home was, "I love you." The family would like to thank the staff and residents of the Covington Manor Nursing Home and Crossroads Hospice for the loving, caring, home atmosphere they provided.
Bonnie was preceded in death by her husband John Warren Nutt; her sister Judy Kelley; her infant son Stephen Warren Nutt; her parents William Edward and Evelyn Ailene Russell of Birmingham, Ala.; her paternal grandparents William Thomas Walker and Francis White, daughter of Jim and Betty White; and her maternal grandparents William C. Russell and Pharisee Pemberton.
Bonnie is survived by four children: Karen Nutt Smith (Mrs. Dana Smith), Terry Nutt (wife Lucy), Kathy Nutt Whitworth (husband Steve) and David Nutt. Bonnie has 10 grandchildren: Rachel Brown Ulrich, Paul Michael Brown, Rebecca Brown Gordon, Jordan Nutt, Daniel Nutt, Athalia Whitworth Critcher, Tiffany Whitworth, Sterling Whitworth, Natalie Whitworth, Melissa Nutt and Mark Nutt. Bonnie is survived by eight great-grandchildren: Annalise Ulrich, Tallis Whitworth Howard, Lowell Whitworth Howard, Zoe Critcher, Paulette Brown, Commander Brown, Padgette Brown and Avery Belle Nutt.
Tomorrow, Dec. 22, the First Baptist Church of Lilburn will host visitation with the Nutt family at 1 p.m. and a celebration of life memorial service at 2 p.m. Instead of flowers, the family has requested that donations be given to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering in her memory.
