HOOVER, ALABAMA
Bonnie Louise Buckner Reno Stephens passed away on 20 July 2024 after a brief illness. Born in Columbus, Indiana on 08 October 1945 to Burl and Mable Buckner, she was the youngest of three children. Bonnie graduated from Columbus High School in 1963 and went on to attend Indiana University where she met and married Robert E. Reno in 1964. The couple had four daughters and raised them in Valparaiso, Indiana. After the death of Robert, Bonnie married Gerald A. Stephens Jr. in 1986. They moved with Bonnie’s two younger daughters to Hoover, Alabama where Bonnie lived until her death.
Bonnie worked in banking except for a three-year period when she and Gerald went to the Democratic Republic of Congo as missionaries for the Presbyterian Church USA. Bonnie was always an active member in her church, most recently she was an elder at Oakmont Chapel Presbyterian Church in Hoover.
Bonnie loved animals and was deeply devoted to her pets over the years. In the last several years of her life her poodle Pepi and then her kitty Willie were her loving companions.
Bonnie was an avid lover of almost all sports. She was no fair-weather fan and remained deeply loyal to her Hoosiers (Indiana University Men’s Basketball) and beloved Chicago Cubs during their many struggling seasons over the years. In fact, she counted the winning of the 2016 World Series by the Cubs as one of the highlights of her life.
Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents Burl and Mable Buckner, her older brother Robert Buckner and her sweet poodle Pepi. She is survived by daughters Rebecca R. Hay, Elizabeth R. Little (Frederick), Kelly K. Boyd (Jeff), Megan C. Anderson (Erik), and her sister Judy Shepherd. Additionally, she is survived by son-in-law John Hay, eleven grandchildren, five great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews as well as a multitude of friends around the world.
A memorial/celebration of life will be held at a later date. To honor Bonnie’s memory, the family suggests making a donation to the Presbyterian Home for Children in Talladega, AL.
