On Thursday, June 27, 2024, Bonita Mullen Roberts entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior at the age of 87. Everyone who knew Bonita knew how much she loved her heavenly Father and how much joy she found in doing for others.

Being one of ten children, Bonita was born October 3, 1936, in Blaine, MS to Kenchen and Martha Lou Mullen. She attended MS College in Clinton before working at the Billy Graham Training Center in Blue Mountain, NC. Bonita married David E. Roberts, and they made their home on their farm in Moorhead, MS. Together, they raised two daughters, Angela and Anita. Bonita was very active in the Moorhead Baptist Church where she attended WMU regularly and taught the YWA group. She was always helping with VBS and feeding revival ministers.

Beginning in 1977, Bonita worked for several years as secretary at the BSU at MDCC. She then went on to work at the Baptist Children's Village in Clinton, MS, as a house mother before moving to Gardner Webb College in Boiling Springs, NC, where she served as a dorm mother. She loved the Smokey Mountains so much that she took a job at Crossmore School and Children's Home in Crossnore, NC, as a house mother where she stayed until she retired. Bonita moved back to Mississippi settling in Ackerman until she needed assistance with her daily routine. Indywood Personal Care Home in Indianola has been her home for the past five years. She has enjoyed visits from friends and family, especially from her great grandchildren.

Bonita was preceded in death by her parents, Kenchen and Martha Lou Mullen; her daughter, Anita Paxton; her sisters, Lucille Schaffer and Aragene Gammill; and her brothers, Kelton Mullen, Marzene Mullen, and Karl Mullen.

She is survived by her daughter, Angela Dowell (Wade) of Indianola; son-in-law, Jim Paxton of Isola; grandsons, Will Paxton of Isola, Justin Paxton of Isola, Matt Dowell (Kimberly) of Indianola, Britt Dowell (Shelby) of Madison, Chad Dowell (Kelsey) of Mantorville, MN; and granddaughter, Georgeana Nieuwoudt (Yvan) of Indianola along with five great grandchildren, Hunter Dowell, Rowan Dowell, Oliver Dowell, Stella Dowell, and Charlee Nieuwoudt, her brothers Harford Mullen, Early Mullen, Twyman Mullen; and sister, Carolyn Phillips along with a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff at Indywood Personal Care Home and to Grace Hospice for their friendship, love, and support.

There will be a graveside service at the Moorhead Cemetery at 10:00 AM Saturday, June 29, 2024, officiated by Bonita's nephew, Ken Phillips. Pallbearers will be grandsons Matt Dowell, Britt Dowell, son-in-law Wade Dowell, nephew Robin Roberts, and great grandson Hunter Dowell.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests a memorial be made to the Baptist Children's Village, P. O. Box 27, Clinton, MS 39060-0027.

The family is truly thankful that Burton Funeral Home of Indianola has been entrusted with the arrangements.