Bonita “Bonnie” Marie Cramer Wade, 95, of Miami, FL passed away peacefully early morning on Sunday, May 7, 2017. She was the widow of Jena native and basketball great, Malcolm “Sparky” Wade.
She was born in Chicago, Illinois on December 24, 1921. She played violin in the Chicago Women’s Symphony and attended college briefly before joining Pan American World Airways as a stewardess in the 1940s.
After marrying her pilot husband, she settled in Miami, FL where she raised her family. She was a devoted parishioner at Church of the Epiphany, working in the library and as school nurse from 1966-1997.
Her Catholic faith and kindness to all of the parishioners, students, and faculty was a model for everyone to follow.
She is predeceased by her husband Malcolm Sparky Wade, Sr, and parents Walter and Helen Cramer.
She is survived by her older sister Rita McCrossen; her children Patty Bennett (Ted), Malcolm Sparky “Bubba” Wade, Jr. (Jennifer), Rick Wade, and Tudi Young; her grandchildren Morgan Lang (Ryan), Crystal Reynolds (Jake), Courtney Wade, Wade Young, and Haylie Young; her great-grandchildren Jayce Lang, Peyton Lang, and Ransom Reynolds; and her beloved pets Boo and Tasha.
A funeral mass was held at Epiphany Catholic Church on Wednesday, May 10, 2017.