For many years Bonnie McKee has been making quilts. Even though her health may slow her down somewhat she continues to set goals for herself. They are a real work of love and attractive designs. Some designs, such as the butterfly quilt, were from a book but the Wheel of Fortune and Pride and Joy quilt of flowers she designed herself.
“Mama never threw anything out,” Bonnie recalls.
Quilts such as Snowballs on Grandpa’s Shirt used up all scraps of materials. She is doing a quilt for her brother with a waterwheel pattern from a book. She enjoys doing memory quilts out of clothes made from loved ones clothing.
Even though Bonnie’s health continues to give her problems, in the last little while she made four youth and seven baby quilts for family members. She buys small blankets such as a car throw on sale then sews prints of animals for girls and boys to put in a backpack. Her sewing machine serves her well, mainly for quilting but she does mending and has repaired table cloths. A sign on the gate reads, Daisy Handcrafts. She had hoped to set up a little shop.
She taught quilting in the North Star Baptist Church every Wednesday evening. One of her foster daughters also participated. Church members put the quilts together for missionaries going abroad. She also taught quilting to individuals in her home.
Perhaps Bonnie will be remembered by more people in the community for providing child care in her home for 30 years.
She also cared for kids in their own home as well as taking in foster kids. Photos of them are displayed in her living room as well as a dream catcher made by First Nations friends. Her 17 foster kids all call her grandma. She sent the kids to Christian Academy for their education.
But Bonnie didn’t just sit around and work on quilts. She enjoyed being part of the single club and going square dancing. She has been on her own for a number of years.
She recalls winning the silver buckle riding bareback in the rodeo. It was there that she met her husband George Edgar McKee – a movie actor and ballet dancer.
Bonnie was born in Springdale, Arkansas, then moved to California when she was 14. She was the oldest of four. Her dad, a well driller, called her Ellick. Her grandfather was a Baptist minister in Arkansas.
Another memory Bonnie has is washing her feet in the creek before putting on
her shoes for church.
She enjoys watching hummingbirds through the living room window and the company of her three cats.
– submitted by Ruth Scoullar