Mother Bonnie Jewel Carter Gillard

Mrs. Bonnie Jewel Carter Gillard, 84, Kokomo, transitioned Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023, at 4:16 a.m. at Community Howard Regional Hospital, surrounded by her family. 

She was born July 19, 1939, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.W. and Etta Alexander Carter in Ripley, Mississippi. They both preceded her in death.

She began her elementary education at Antioch in Blue Mountain, Mississippi. She finished her education in the Ripley, Mississippi, School System, where she graduated from high school. 

She became a member of St. John Missionary Baptist Church at an early age.

She later married the Rev. Joe Allen Gillard. They were married for 36 years before he preceded her in death. To this union, three children were born: Joe David, Mary Etta and Jackueline, who all preceded her in death.

After relocating to Kokomo, Indiana, she became a member of the Second Missionary Baptist church, where she faithfully served as a Deaconess, in the Prayer Band and on the Kitchen Committee, where she loved to cook her good caramel cakes and peach cobbler, and her dressing was the absolute best. If she made it, everyone knew it was good.

She was affectionately called mom by everyone.

She had been employed by the Delco Division of General Motors for 30 years and two months before her retirement.  

She leaves to cherish her memories a grandson, Andrae A. Gillard, whom she raised as her own; one stepdaughter, Jacklynn Gillard; one stepgrandson, Deionye Alston; daughter-in-law; Jivaughnde Gillard; one sister, Lorange Rutherford of Blue Mountain, Mississippi; one brother, James Nello Carter of Kokomo, Indiana; sisters-in-law, Alma Carter Hardin, New Albany, Mississippi, May Rean Gillard of Falkner, Mississippi, and Hope (Rom) Patterson of Kokomo, Indiana; along with a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. 

Mrs. Bonnie Jewel Carter Gillard was also preceded in death along with her husband and both parents, by sisters, Mary Gipson and Gennie Ruth Scott; and brothers, Thomas G. and William Carter. 

Celebratory services will be held Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, at 11 a.m., in the Second Missionary Baptist Church, with the Rev. Dr. William J. Smith Jr. honorably serving as officiant and eulogist.

A public visitation will begin at 10 a.m. until 11 a.m., in the Sanctuary of the Second MBC. The final interment and committal will follow in Crown Point Cemetery.

We are honored to serve the Gillard Family during their time of need.

We will also provide complimentary live-streaming for the convenience of family and friends who are unable to attend the services.