"chúc m?ng sinh nh?t m? luôn luôn trong suy ngh? c?a tôi và mãi mãi trong trái tim tôi ??n khi tinh th?n c?a chúng tôi ?áp ?ng m?t l?n n?a con gái 3 "
In loving memory of
Bonnie Lee Gregory
January 1, 1943 - December 15, 2020
Bonnie Lee Gregory, 77, of El Paso, Texas left this earth to begin her spiritual journey from her home in Knoxville, Tennessee.
She was born Nguyen Thi Lan in a village in North Vietnam prior to the start of the Vietnam War, orphaned at a young age found her way to South Vietnam before escaping to America to be renamed Bonnie Lee Gregory with a birth date transcribed as January 1, 1943. Leaving no family and all possessions behind, she evacuated with her military husband and their children to the United States, assimilating to a new language, culture and society.
Her new life focused on protecting and nurturing her daughters. Without any formal education, she learned to read and write alongside her children. She overcame many adversities with a determined attitude, fervid work ethic and devoted faith. She believed that God came to us in different ways. For many years, she meditated daily seeking the path of enlightenment through her Buddhist belief. Towards the end of her journey, she walked with Christ and declared her faith through baptism.
Apart from the enigmatic timeline of her life's beginning, there are momentous events that encouraged and comforted her through her despondent affliction. On March 22, 2016, she accepted Jesus as her personal savior. Years later, at Temple Baptist Church in Knoxville she declared her public profession of her salvation on April 21, 2019. Through careful preparations from her new church family, Bonnie Lee consecrated to Christ in baptism on June 2, 2019.
Prior to relocating to Knoxville, at the age of 50 she learned to drive and then spent over 20 years working in the kitchen at Red Lobster where her passion for cuisine continued. She found great joy in cooking for her family and feeding anyone who came through her door. Her life was not complicated. She lived a routine of daily exercise, tending to her herb garden, and watching her favorite game shows on television. Her competitive spirit and sense of humor made her the "Rummy Champion" of the family. The means to reach 500 first was often questionable, but this was not the true motive for playing. Around the dining room table with cards in hand, she shared her stories, delivered witty jokes, and expressed her unconditional love for her daughters, her sons-in-law and her grandchildren.
She married her first love and only love, an American soldier, James Daniel Gregory. Together, they raised 5 girls. Surviving her are the only members of her inner circle, Peggy Harrison (Michael Harrison); Patsy Gregory; Florence Shearer (Jeffry Shearer); Sandra Lowry (Steven Lowry) and Lesia Gregory.
Her familial history extends to another generation of grandchildren: Alisa Meadows (John Meadows); Matthew Lowry; Jeremy Shearer (Meg Shearer); Bobby Moon; Anita Harrison; Robert Harrison; Alexandria Shearer; Savanna Lowry; and Jaden Moon. Her humble lineage descends further with her great-grandchildren: Anzlee Meadows; Jude Meadows and Addie Mae Davis.
A private service will be held for immediate family. In lieu of flowers or cards, she asks that contributions be made to help the less fortunate--nonperishable food items to the local food bank to help the hungry, warm blankets and coats to help the homeless, clothing and books to help the elderly and orphans.
In memory, she leaves us with this request to remember to appreciate the moments you have with your family, be grateful for all your blessings, never stop loving and helping others. She wants her family and friends to know the Lord Jesus Christ. This is her Statement of Faith. For those who die in Christ, death is union with the Lord. On December 15, 2020 Bonnie Lee Gregory has joined Jesus in paradise.
(Please hyperlink: https://templebaptistchurch.com/pages/statement-of-faith.php to her Statement of Faith.)
Gentry Griffey Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the Gregory family and invites you to view and sign the online registry.
Message from the family of Bonnie Lee Gregory:
Words cannot begin to express the love and encouragement felt from each one of you throughout these difficult times.
Your kindness and generosity continues to be sincerely appreciated. Knowing we had your support and prayers brought us great comfort.
Our entire family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for all the acts of love and service received by our friends, adoptive family members, Hospice care providers, Temple Baptist Church, Citizens Bank & Trust Company of Grainger County and the staff of Gentry Griffey Funeral Chapel & Crematory.
Please click on the following link to listen to the songs, hear the message and watch the video tribute of the private ceremony held Saturday, December 19, 2020
at Temple Baptist church:
https://youtu.be/vvrGw4WZQ50
Tributes
"Lan, no words can express my sorrow right now. Nor, no words can express my thankfulness that I have in my heart to of had you in my life. I want to thank you for everything you have done for me and for giving me such a great childhood. I love you and will miss you very much. You will always be my second mother. "
"Jean, for every life has a purpose to fill, a purpose which us humans can seldom infer. Your mom was a gift from heaven, whose purpose was to make this world understand what love, friendship, goodness, and humbleness was all about. Goodness belongs to heaven, and I know she is watching you from there, bestowing her beautiful smile upon you. May her soul rest in peace."
"Lan, your overwhelming joy, kindness, & unselfishness will always be remembered & sorely missed. You always welcomed us whenever we dropped by & never made us feel like we were a burden no matter how long we stayed at your house. You were like our second mom. Not only did you make us little kids feel valued when we were at your house, you also made your friends, especially my mom, feel that way. Your friendship with my mom was such a blessing to her. You were always there for her when we grew up & left home. I'm so glad that God crossed our paths. I love you & will miss you."
"I have many memories of Bonnie at Red Lobster in El Paso, Tx. She never had a sad face. She was always laughing and smiling. And even when you tried to correct her on a procedure, she gave you another smile. She even learned to drive 17 miles to and from work on Insterstate 10, on the other side of town. She never had a bad remark and never a sad face. She was a great employee and the Mother in Law of our Son, Michael Douglas Harrison. Rest in peace. Your Hubby is rejoicing, you are now at rest with him. It will be so difficult to enter Mike and Peggy's home, without seeing you there welcoming and smiling and laughing. MAYBE, just Maybeeee, I will join you guys one day. Love you Bonnie."
"My dear friend Bonnie Lee Gregory. You always was a angel in our hearts and you will always be. We love you so much and you bring bright to all Red Lobster employees and managers. I know you are going to heaven because you are an Angel in Earth. You gain the heart of all the employees and managers. Such a wonderful and hard working lady that put the example for everybody. You will always live in our hearts. Thank you God for let us have and share time with and angel in Earth. We know Bonnie is in heaven with you dear God. Love you forever our dear friend Bonnie ???"
"Grandma, You are a big blessing in my life, I couldn't ask for better memories with you than the ones I have. I was blessed enough to see you at your healthiest state, I will always remember your witty jokes, the way you bended the rules in rummy, and how much you loved cooking. Every time someone came to your house you'd always greeted them with the kindest and most beautiful smile, then ask if they wanted food even if they said no you'd make them eat anyways. I was fortunate enough to spend every summer with you. I would be with her whether it would be going to the px or the commissary and her hitting a car backing out and saying "eh oh well" while driving off. Even staying home with her. I remember when I was little you would let me do your makeup, nails and hair, even though you'd tell me no you'd always let me. We'd play school and dance to Dancing With The Stars. When we were sick you'd always put tiger balm on our back even if we say no you'd do it anyways even though we "hated" it, we didn't we loved it. Every moment I had with you I cherished it so much. I cherished you as a person, you inspired me to be the person I am today. I can't help but be so thankful for you grandma. I love you my crazy awesome grandma. You will be dearly missed."
"Mom, I?m so blessed that God gave me you as my mom. You were and still are the best. You always showed unconditional love. As heartbroken we are that your physical body is no longer with us, we are all looking forward to the day we reunite again in Heaven. I?ll never forget all the lessons you taught me. I would never be the woman that I am now. You welcomed everyone with your beautiful smile and your infectious laugh. You walked in any room like you owned it and you did and you lit up at the same time. You always made sure everyone that walked into your house, ate, no matter what it was that you cooked. You could make anything taste good. I miss our ?competitive? Rummy games, even those ?stinky twos.? I miss our trips to the Chinese Buffets, our outings to the Vietnamese restaurants, I miss you smearing me with Tiger Balm whenever I was sick, even though I fought it so much growing up, there?s nothing I wouldn?t do to get that back. You were the best mom anyone could ever ask for. The world didn?t deserve you, we didn?t deserve you. Heaven deserves the angel that you have always been. I know you?re up there dancing on the streets of gold and watching over us, and I?m so grateful for that. I?m blessed that I got to spend the last month of your life with you. I?m blessed that I got to witness your conversation with Jesus saying ?6 more days? and indeed it was 6 days exactly. He had a plan for you and I?m happy that you?re no longer in pain. You make me strive to be a better person. I?m so honored to be your daughter. Until we meet again, I?ll carry your memory with honor in my heart always. I love you and miss you so much, Mom! "
"Oh grandma it has been so hard to put into words how much I love and miss you. You were always a bright light in our family and you will be missed. Your radiant smile and your infectious laugh is something I will always remember. I remember growing up in your house and how it always smelled amazing bc of all the delicious food you were cooking and I can almost hear you slap the table to get a card when we were playing rummy. Some of my favorite memories are when we would all be in the kitchen in an assembly line making egg rolls or at the kitchen table playing rummy or in the living room just talking. But one of my greatest privileges was helping care for you after your stroke. That one on one time is something I will never forget. You showed me that even when we feel down or discouraged that a kind smile and sweet spirit can make the biggest difference. I am so happy that one day I will see you again. I love you grandma and I?m so glad that my kids and husband got to know and love you as much as I do. Love you grandma Alisa "
"My grandma Gregory was the most amazing person imaginable. She was always in a great mood and loved everyone she met, so much so, that she told my girlfriend, Jessica, that she loved her before I did. You could just tell that she cared about every one she came across from the bottom of her heart. Any friend that I brought over always felt like part of the family the second they walked through her door. She could always make us smile and laugh. Just as much as she loved people, she loved to cook. Whether it was phó, egg rolls, nuoc mam, or any of the countless delicious recipes she had stored up in her mind, she loved being in the kitchen. She would get home from a long day of work and start preparing the most delicious food you can imagine. Even when I was cutting weight for wrestling, she would find a way to make me eat, at least a little. If you were really lucky, you'd get to play the rummy with her. You'd have to be more than lucky to win against her with the way she would "bend the rules" to make sure she always had the winning hand. I had the pleasure of seeing her almost every day from the time I was born until I was 18, and I will always cherish all the time and memories I've had with her. She was truly an amazing soul and the world will not be the same without her. Heaven gained the sweetest angel around and I will miss her more than words express. I love you Grandma Gregory, thank you for always being there for me! "
"So sorry for your loss. Tom and Sandy Shearer "
" A FADED ORCHID John 11:25 ? Jesus said unto her,? I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live?? We little knew that morning that God would call your name In life we loved you dearly in death we do the same 1 Thessalonians 4:14 ? For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. It broke our hearts to lose you And you did not go alone For part of us went with you The day God called you home Romans 14:8 ? For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. You left us peaceful memories Your love is still our guide And though we cannot see you You are always at our side Romans 10:9 - That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Your Life was a Blessing Your Memory a Treasure You are Loved Beyond Words And Missed Beyond Measure Michael and Peggy "
"Gramma, I will never forget the absolute resolve you had in life to care for not just family but extended your love to others around you. I will always remember the kindness you showed strangers, your love for cooking and staying healthy. I?m proud to have experienced your love as well as some of your witty jokes?haha. I know you are watching down on us from heaven. I love you -Robert"
"Mrs Bonnie always came in with a beautiful smile on her face and had such a joyful laugh. It was a pleasure knowing her these past few years when she would come into our office. We will greatly miss caring for her and seeing her smile. Much love and comfort to Peggy and family. We love you! -The Freedom Team"
"Renee Buchanan I had the pleasure to meet Peggy's mom once. Peggy brought her to my house. We had a nice visit and I will always remember her. Peggy I am so sorry for your loss. You and I met in a very strange way- I call it a "crossroad" in my life. Take care my friend. I love you and I will see you again one of these days! "
"Gramma, Being your grandson is one of the things in life I am most proud of. I share your stories with all who are privileged to listen. I can't thank you enough for everything you did for me growing up, and I know I've told you many times, but words will never do it justice. You were the best. Until we meet again at the table with some eggrolls, a bowl of pho, and game of rummy...I will love you forever and miss you always. your favorite, - Jeremy"
"Lan, you were always the kindest person. You always had us over as children and there were a lot of us and loved us. Your kindness, your heart, and your graciousness has never gone unnoticed. You truly led a life as Jesus would have wanted you to. You are now in heaven with our true father in peace and in joy. Have a great time up there!!! You will be truly missed down here. I love you!! SueLynn"
"Jean - May the Lord be with you and keep you in his perfect peace. My thoughts and prayers are forever with you and your family. "
"There are no words to express my feelings for you but I?m going to try. You were truly a strong and loving person. There is not one person that you have ever met that did not like you. You greeted everyone with your beautiful smile. You are a second mother not only to me but everyone you met. Thank you for always welcoming us over to your home, feeding us, and just loving us. I will always remember and laugh every time I think of your conversations with my mom over the phone. I really don?t think you guys needed a phone ... Asian moms talk so loud ...lol. My heart breaks because you are not with us but am happy that you are with the Lord and not in pain anymore. You have impacted my entire family and we will truly miss you. My mom is so sad. She said ? my best friend is gone?. Our family?s have known each other for 40 years with continued generations. You did great!! Until we see each other again. Say hello to Jesus, my dad and Jim!! Love you!!!???"
"I?ll love you forever grandma, can?t wait until we meet again ?? "
"Bonnie (Mom) I will miss you beyond what I can say here. You were a very strong and independent woman that inspired me. I was so blessed you let me in your life and to be a big part of mine. You were the mom I never had and more of a mom to me than my own mother. You were a wonderful grandmother to my children and had to play double duty as my mother was grandma only when it was convenient for her. I couldn't ask for a better person to be grandma you were perfect. I know how you loved to cook and boy did we love it when you did, even if you watched too many cooking shows and experimented I loved it just the same. I miss Thanksgivings at the Gregory house were family and friends would get together it was awesome. You were the center of our universe when we'd have water fights in the summer to Christmas dinners in the winter. Always with your laugh and bubbly personality especially when you got together with Mary. I remember Mary never used the door bell just shout your name "Lan!" That was so funny but I will miss those days. I will remember you would make me feel happy when I was down, scare me when you were mad (never at me mostly at Lisa hahahaha) scary just the same. Your lil walk your smile your crazy work outs all will be missed. I loved going to the Gregory house cuz she always made sure my stomach was full and we always had something to take home. A very caring and loving woman that touched my heart and forever be with me. I will dearly miss you. Till we meet again in front of a bowl of Pho Love you bunches Mom, love you bunches "
"Thank you for such amazing memories and being the kindest person I will ever know I love you so much grandma and I miss you so much."
"Peggy so sorry to hear of your loss so glad she found the Lord! Love Billy and Gail Harrison"
"Until our next Rummy game, I love and miss you!"
"Grandma brightened the world with her positive energy, contagious laugh, and radiant smile. Her strength and sense of humor will forever inspire us to stay courageous and optimistic in this universe. "
"She has lived a wonderful life. We love you grandma, and we will all miss you dearly. "