Bonnie Wells Obituary

Bonnie Keyes Wells Mt. Pleasant - Bonnie Keyes Wells, 87, of Mt. Pleasant, SC, widow of Gayle J. Wells, entered into eternal rest Sunday, March 6, 2022. Her Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, March 13th in Sunrise Presbyterian Church on Sullivan's Island at 2:00p.m. with a reception to follow, where the family will receive friends. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr Inc., Mount Pleasant Chapel. Bonnie was born September 28, 1934 in Laurel, Mississippi the daughter of the late Benjamin Franklin Keyes and Gertrude Catherine Miller Keyes. She attended Stephens College and was a graduate of the University of Mississippi, "Ole Miss." Bonnie was a retired educator and volunteer. She served in many capacities and for many organizations including Director of the Ashland Child Development Center in Ashland, KY. Over the years she held many positions of community service, including President of the Charity Club of Ashland, twenty years of service to East Cooper Community Outreach (Mt. Pleasant), Elder of Sunrise Presbyterian Church, where she served on multiple Sessions, and helped raise awareness and funds for a wide range of causes starting with replanting the palm trees on the Isle of Palms after Hurricane Hugo and realizing the opening of the South Carolina Aquarium. She was a long time resident of the Isle of Palms, SC. In later life, Bonnie's community interests were focused on the rights and needs of women, marginalized communities, and companion animals. She often gave her time being of counsel and friendship to a wide range of people, freely offering her experience and knowledge. She is survived by her son, Benjamin A. van der Wel (Frederick) of Colorado Springs, CO; a niece, Barrie W. Murray of Falmouth, MA; a great-niece, Whitney E. Murray of Phoenix, AZ and a great-nephew, John P. Murray (Shannon) of Jacksonville FL. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Betty Jean Keyes Watkins. Memorials may be made to East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO), 1145 6 Mile Rd., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29466 or visit https://eccocharleston.charityproud.org/donate/ and/or The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 941 Houston Northcutt Blvd, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 or visit https://givenow.lls.org/give/394054/#!/donation/checkout, and/or Charleston Animal Society (https://charlestonanimalsociety.org/donate/). A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com. Visit our guestbook at legacy.com/obituaries/charleston