Bonnie Jean Williams Tedder

BONNIE AND PAUL TEDDER BONNIE JEAN WILLIAMS TEDDER, age 86, passed away peacefully in her Little Rock home, Tuesday, June 5, 2012. She was born in Belleville, Ark. on May 29, 1926, to the late H. O. and Mexie Williams. Bonnie graduated from Belleville High School and then moved to Little Rock to attend Draughn's Business School. Her places of employment were varied; however, her most important and long lasting job was as a housewife and homemaker. Throughout her life, Bonnie was active in many clubs and activities. She was a master gardener and past president of the Little Rock Council of Garden Clubs. Bonnie carefully and lovingly created a beautiful yard that became a Certified National Wildlife Refuge Backyard by the Audubon Society. At different times in her life's journey, Bonnie was also active in United Methodist Women, Ballet Arkansas Guild, and Little Rock Music Coterie. A sewing club, and various reading groups were important activities that she enjoyed. Two groups very important to Bonnie were the Women's Emergency Committee, an organization formed during the 1958 Little Rock Crisis that advocated for the integration of the public school system; and My Watch Group, a group of women who took children to see their mothers in prison. Bonnie was a long time, active member of St. Luke United Methodist Church. For the past 17 years she has been a member of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church. At PHUMC Bonnie was part of the Primetimers Ministies, and a member of the Energizer's Choir. Her church families were always an important part of Bonnie's life. Bonnie was preceded in death by two brothers, H. O. Williams Jr. and James Williams; three sisters, Johnnie Dodson, Maybelle Gilliam, and Clynelle Chambers; and one niece, Rosemary Gilliam. PAUL GENE TEDDER, age 88, passed away at his home in Little Rock, July 4, 2012. Paul was born April 6, 1924, in Little Rock, to the late H. A. and Nora Tedder. He graduated from Little Rock Central High School and went on to graduate from Little Rock Junior College. Paul then joined the United States Army in 1943. He was honorably discharged in 1946. Paul worked for E. C. Cullum & Co. from 1948 until 1952. He worked for W. E. Clark & Sons, and, was a self-employed Registered Public Accountant from 1952 until April 17, 2012. His office was first at 21st and Broadway and then at 1100 W. 2nd Street. Paul loved his job and especially loved his clients, some of whom he had from the beginning to the end. He enjoyed helping his clients and doing what was right for them; but, it was the relationships with clients and their personal visits, that he took particular delight. Paul grew up in the old Scott Street Methodist Church which became St. Luke United Methodist Church. He was an active member at St. Luke and enjoyed singing in the choir. Several years ago he switched his membership to Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church where he has enjoyed their worship services on TV. Paul was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie, and his brother, Irby V. Tedder. Paul and Bonnie were both preceded in death by a daughter, Paula Sue Tedder Ballard. Paul and Bonnie were married for 64 years. They were married May 14, 1948 in Scott Street Methodist Church, Little Rock. During these 64 years the Tedders created a beautiful, loving home for their family. Paul and Bonnie are survived by three daughters, Patty Watkins (Brent) of Jonesboro, Beverly Homan (Bob) of North Little Rock, and Tamara Quivers (Kevin) of Columbia, Md.; four grandchildren, Carol Fletcher of Nashville, Tenn., Edward Watkins of Jonesboro, Caryn Cash Cates of North Little Rock and Jaime Wilcox-Revels (Shana) of Conway; four great-grandchildren, Taylor Watkins of Jonesboro, Madison Cates of North Little Rock, Matthew Cates of North Little Rock and Jayden James Wilcox-Revels of Conway; one niece, Mary Jane Lemaster (Jim) of North Little Rock; and four nephews, Henry Dodson (Ginger) of North Little Rock, John Dodson of North Little Rock, Bruce Tedder (Kathy) of Dallas, Texas, and Steve Tedder (Cookie) of Dallas, Texas; and several great-nieces and great-nephews. A memorial service will be held for Paul and Bonnie Monday, July 23, 2012, at 10 a.m., at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, 4823 Woodlawn, Little Rock. Interment will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials to consider to honor Paul and/or Bonnie are Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, and Baptist Hospital Hospice. Arrangements are by Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth, 501-661-9111.