In Memory of
Hilda Aline
Speed (Bonner)
Speed (Bonner)
1920 - 2018
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Lewis Funeral Home
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Obituary for Hilda Aline Speed (Bonner)
Hilda Aline Bonner Speed, 97, of Milton, Florida, transitioned from her earthly body into her heavenly body on Monday, March 12, 2018.
Hilda had lived in Gulf Breeze, Florida, from 1957 until 2010 when she moved in with her daughter. Hilda, her husband, Howard Gray Speed, and her sister, Estelle Bonner, were pioneer educators in the City of Gulf Breeze. Howard was the first principal of Gulf Breeze Elementary School which opened in 1956. Hilda and Estelle were teachers there also.
Hilda was a native of Toxey, Alabama, the youngest of ten children born to Seaborn E. and Viola Anna McMillan Bonner on August 28, 1920. She attended elementary through sixth grade in Toxey. She attended Gilbertown Junior High School until the middle of seventh grade when she moved to Lisman Junior High School through the eighth grade. In May 1938 she graduated from Choctaw County High School, Butler, Alabama.
In August of 1940 she completed her requirements for a Professional Class D Certificate from Livingston State Teacher’s College. She did substitute teaching in 1940-41. Her first full-time position was in Gilbertown Junior High School from 1941 – 1946. There she taught first grade for three years and social studies for two years.
During this time she dated Gray Speed. They were engaged before he was drafted in the Army Air Corps and served overseas in World War II in the European theater. Upon his return they were married on December 3, 1945.
After she and Gray completed their requirements for a B.S. degree in August of 1947, they moved to Jay, Florida, to teach at Crossroad Elementary School. She taught first and second grades until March of 1950 when she resigned to await the arrival of Anna Elizabeth in May. Four years later her second child, Michael Raphael was born. She stayed at home with her children for six years.
The first year of Gulf Breeze Elementary School; she served as a part-time secretary. In 1957 she returned to teaching first grade until her retirement in 1984. Little did she know when she taught Jan Cayson in first grade that one day Jan would be her daughter-in-law!
Gray, Hilda, and Estelle were active members of the First Baptist Church in Gulf Breeze. After Hilda moved in Milton to live with Anna Elizabeth she moved her membership to the First Baptist Church in Milton. She enjoyed attending worship service there as long as her health allowed her the privilege.
Hilda was a talented seamstress making her children’s clothes as well as her clothes for many years. Crocheting, cooking, and traveling were other hobbies she enjoyed. She was always a gracious host entertaining many people in her home.
Hilda was preceded in death by her husband of 52 ½ years, her parents, her brothers Andy, Seth, Abner, and Gleney, and sisters Eva Hamrick, Ruth Dicks, Blanche Cook, Clara and Estelle Bonner.
Survivors include daughter Anna Ratliff (Steve), and son Michael Speed (Jan). Grandchildren are John H. Ratliff (Amy), Michelle Ratliff Lee (Nathan), Jared Speed, Heather Speed Holden (Justin), and Jamie Ratliff Alcorn. Nine greatgrandchildren: Cooper Lee, Landon Speed, Foster Ratliff, Trinity Lee, Malorie Speed, Bentley Ratliff, Emma Holden, Isabella Alcorn and Lucus Holden; also, numerous nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank her primary care physician, Dr. Richard Stachler; her special caregiver, Amy Hernandez; and Emerald Coast Hospice – Sophie, Danielle, and Chaplin Mark Smith.
Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, March 15, 2018, at the First Baptist Church in Milton, Florida, with Dr. David Spencer, Dr. Jonathan Russell, and Chaplain Mark Smith officiating. Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., prior to the service.
Pallbearers will be John Ratliff, Nathan Lee, Jared Speed, Chuck Willis, Al Faulkner, Darryl Bonner, Justin Holden, and Clayton Alcorn. Honorary Pallbearers will be Joe Gilstrap, Daniel Norwood, Dwaine Norwood, Jim Beagle, Mark Eubanks, Chaplain Mark Smith, Dabo Renfroe, Victor Strozier, Al Davis, Bob Davis, David Wolfe, and Nicky Walker.
Interment will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 16, 2018, in the Bonner Memorial Cemetery in Toxey, Alabama.
Flowers are welcome or donations can be made in Hilda’s memory to The First Baptist Church of Milton, 6797 Caroline Street, Milton, FL 32570; or Emerald Coast Hospice, 5536 Stewart Street, Milton, FL 32570.
Arrangements will be entrusted to Lewis Funeral Home in Milton, Florida, and Phillips Funeral Home in Gilbertown, Alabama.
Hilda had lived in Gulf Breeze, Florida, from 1957 until 2010 when she moved in with her daughter. Hilda, her husband, Howard Gray Speed, and her sister, Estelle Bonner, were pioneer educators in the City of Gulf Breeze. Howard was the first principal of Gulf Breeze Elementary School which opened in 1956. Hilda and Estelle were teachers there also.
Hilda was a native of Toxey, Alabama, the youngest of ten children born to Seaborn E. and Viola Anna McMillan Bonner on August 28, 1920. She attended elementary through sixth grade in Toxey. She attended Gilbertown Junior High School until the middle of seventh grade when she moved to Lisman Junior High School through the eighth grade. In May 1938 she graduated from Choctaw County High School, Butler, Alabama.
In August of 1940 she completed her requirements for a Professional Class D Certificate from Livingston State Teacher’s College. She did substitute teaching in 1940-41. Her first full-time position was in Gilbertown Junior High School from 1941 – 1946. There she taught first grade for three years and social studies for two years.
During this time she dated Gray Speed. They were engaged before he was drafted in the Army Air Corps and served overseas in World War II in the European theater. Upon his return they were married on December 3, 1945.
After she and Gray completed their requirements for a B.S. degree in August of 1947, they moved to Jay, Florida, to teach at Crossroad Elementary School. She taught first and second grades until March of 1950 when she resigned to await the arrival of Anna Elizabeth in May. Four years later her second child, Michael Raphael was born. She stayed at home with her children for six years.
The first year of Gulf Breeze Elementary School; she served as a part-time secretary. In 1957 she returned to teaching first grade until her retirement in 1984. Little did she know when she taught Jan Cayson in first grade that one day Jan would be her daughter-in-law!
Gray, Hilda, and Estelle were active members of the First Baptist Church in Gulf Breeze. After Hilda moved in Milton to live with Anna Elizabeth she moved her membership to the First Baptist Church in Milton. She enjoyed attending worship service there as long as her health allowed her the privilege.
Hilda was a talented seamstress making her children’s clothes as well as her clothes for many years. Crocheting, cooking, and traveling were other hobbies she enjoyed. She was always a gracious host entertaining many people in her home.
Hilda was preceded in death by her husband of 52 ½ years, her parents, her brothers Andy, Seth, Abner, and Gleney, and sisters Eva Hamrick, Ruth Dicks, Blanche Cook, Clara and Estelle Bonner.
Survivors include daughter Anna Ratliff (Steve), and son Michael Speed (Jan). Grandchildren are John H. Ratliff (Amy), Michelle Ratliff Lee (Nathan), Jared Speed, Heather Speed Holden (Justin), and Jamie Ratliff Alcorn. Nine greatgrandchildren: Cooper Lee, Landon Speed, Foster Ratliff, Trinity Lee, Malorie Speed, Bentley Ratliff, Emma Holden, Isabella Alcorn and Lucus Holden; also, numerous nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank her primary care physician, Dr. Richard Stachler; her special caregiver, Amy Hernandez; and Emerald Coast Hospice – Sophie, Danielle, and Chaplin Mark Smith.
Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, March 15, 2018, at the First Baptist Church in Milton, Florida, with Dr. David Spencer, Dr. Jonathan Russell, and Chaplain Mark Smith officiating. Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., prior to the service.
Pallbearers will be John Ratliff, Nathan Lee, Jared Speed, Chuck Willis, Al Faulkner, Darryl Bonner, Justin Holden, and Clayton Alcorn. Honorary Pallbearers will be Joe Gilstrap, Daniel Norwood, Dwaine Norwood, Jim Beagle, Mark Eubanks, Chaplain Mark Smith, Dabo Renfroe, Victor Strozier, Al Davis, Bob Davis, David Wolfe, and Nicky Walker.
Interment will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 16, 2018, in the Bonner Memorial Cemetery in Toxey, Alabama.
Flowers are welcome or donations can be made in Hilda’s memory to The First Baptist Church of Milton, 6797 Caroline Street, Milton, FL 32570; or Emerald Coast Hospice, 5536 Stewart Street, Milton, FL 32570.
Arrangements will be entrusted to Lewis Funeral Home in Milton, Florida, and Phillips Funeral Home in Gilbertown, Alabama.
