Bonnie Edwards Rachal

Mrs. Bonnie Edwards Rachal, loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, peacefully went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 28, 2020 at the age of 92 in Shreveport, Louisiana. Mrs. Rachal was born in Flatwoods, Louisiana on May 29, 1928 to Coleman Joe and Docia Basco Edwards Setliff. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Joseph Aubrey “Bear” Rachal; her stepfather, Sam Setliff; her brother Aubrey Edwards; and her nephew William Aubrey Edwards. Those left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Myra Rachal Basco and husband William “Buddy” Basco of Flatwoods, Louisiana; Audrey Rachal Smith and husband Rusty Smith of Shreveport, Louisiana; granddaughter Michelle O’Quinn Ballard and husband Ben Ballard and great grandson Quinn Ballard of Boise, Idaho; grandson Steven O’Quinn of Flatwoods, Louisiana and great grandson Hunter O’Quinn of Houston, Texas. Mrs. Rachal graduated from Gorum High School and received vocational training in business at Louisiana Technical School in Natchitoches, Louisiana. She owned and operated the Gorum Mercantile in Gorum, Louisiana for many years. “The Store” as she called it was much more than a place of business for her. It was attached to her residence and a place she welcomed friends, shared a cup of coffee and a visit and often, a meal she had prepared. After selling her business and taking a few years to enjoy being a homemaker and doting grandmother, she worked at Grillette Jewelers in Natchitoches, Louisiana until her retirement. Miss Bonnie, as she was affectionately known by all who knew her, was passionate about cooking and loved sharing her wonderful Louisiana cuisine with friends and family alike. She especially loved preparing special dishes for her church’s celebrations and special gatherings. Gathering at her home to eat her famous gumbo was an annual tradition during the Natchitoches Christmas Festival. Not only was she devoted to her immediate family but to her church family at New Life Evangelism Center. She doted over generations of children growing up in the church. Like her own children and grandchildren, they too were all “her babies”. She will always be remembered for her generous spirit, loving smile and enduring legacy of a life well lived and a family well loved. The family would like to give special thanks for the dedication, compassion and care given to Miss Bonnie by the staff of Fresenius Kidney Care at Shreveport Regional and East Natchitoches clinics; Dr. Rajendra Gandhi, Dr. Sneedhara Alla, Dr. Raja Zabaneh, Dr. Philip Garavaglia, Dr. Robert Hernandez and Nurse Practitioner, Laura Perkins; the staff at Heritage Manor Stratmore of Shreveport and her special nurse, Ashley. A visitation will be held at New Life Evangelism Center located at 4810 University Parkway Natchitoches, Louisiana on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 from 5 pm until 8 pm. Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at New Life Evangelism Center with Pastor Dennis Bjornberg officiating. Interment will follow at Flatwoods Cemetery in Flatwoods, Louisiana. Those honored to be pallbearers will be Jeff Tarpley, Tim Basco, Brian Hester, Ralph Dowden, Wendell Bridges and Winston Bridges. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made in Miss Bonnie’s name to New Life Evangelism Center 4810 University Parkway Natchitoches, Louisiana, 71457 or online at www.nlecn.org Attachments area ReplyForward