Juanita "Bonnie" Dunlap

Juanita “Bonnie” Dunlap, 91, of Gilbertsville, KY passed away at 11:01 p.m. on Friday, November 15, 2019 at her home, The Stilley House, in Benton, KY. Her daughter, Kenna, was at her side.

Juanita was born in Powderly, KY to the late Berkley Simpson and Anna Belle Pyles Simpson. Her grandfather thought her name was too big for such a little girl and told her parents, “I’m going to call her Bonnie.” The nickname stuck and no one knows her by any other name.

In 1949, she married Ken Dunlap and they lived in Jeffersonville/Clarksville, Indiana, until their retirement. Following retirement, they moved to Marshall County where they enjoyed golfing and visiting yard sales.

Bonnie worked at the Census Bureau in Jeffersonville for many years. Eventually, Ken asked her to come and work alongside him at his State Farm Insurance Agency.  Bonnie was his encourager, always in the background and allowing him to grow in his business and in his work for the Lord.

Because Ken was an excellent salesman, he won many trips. Bonnie and Ken traveled to a number of far-away places including Hawaii, Spain, and her favorite Paris, France. Bonnie loved the adventure that came with each new place she visited.

Bonnie took pleasure in being a hostess and many people enjoyed fine home-cooked meals and loving hospitality in her home.  Many friends and loved ones were recipients of heart-felt cards with thoughtful comments from Bonnie. She enjoyed visiting and encouraging the sick and those that were shut-in. If you had a problem, Bonnie shouldered that burden with you. 

Over the years she received many cards from people thanking her for the blessing she had been in their lives and the good Christian example she had set for them. One such card noted that they had observed two philosophies she lived by: (1) “Smile and the world smiles with you; cry and you cry alone,” and (2) “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Though living her life quietly, usually in the shadow of her husband, her impact was great on the lives she touched.

Prior to retirement, Bonnie was a children’s Bible class teacher. Into her older years, she still retained that ability to be an encourager of the young as well as the older generations. She always reminded young husbands, “You tell her you love her EVERY day!” She was an active member of the Benton Church of Christ.

As Bonnie aged, she regretted that she could no longer go and do the things she used to do. She would do what she could from home, but lacked the fulfillment she needed so badly. Then a blessing came in the form of a move to assisted living. Bonnie found in that move a way to be a blessing to others by passing out hugs on a daily basis to the other residents and employees at the Stilley House. She was a self-appointed greeter to new residents and stayed busy encouraging as many as she possibly could.

She is survived by her daughter, Kenna Lynn Jones and husband, Dan of Gilbertsville, KY; one son-in-law, Ken Craig of Jeffersonville, IN; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren, and five great-great grandchildren.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Dunlap; one daughter, Teresa Kay Craig; her sister, Sharon Rice; her brother, Troy Simpson; and her parents.   

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 19, 2019 at Filbeck-Cann Funeral Home of Milner & Orr.

The funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, November 22, 2019 at Scott Funeral Home in Jeffersonville, IN with Gary Knuckles and Chester Darden officiating. Burial will follow at Walnut Ridge Cemetery. A second visitation will be held from 10:00 am until the funeral hour at Scott Funeral Home.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to: Childplace, 2420 East 10th Street, Jeffersonville, IN 47130.

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