Bonnie Blazer Obituary

Bonnie Jolene Blazer April 22, 1938 - August 8, 2024

KINGSPORT - Bonnie Jolene (Couse) Blazer, 86, of Kingsport entered into eternal rest in the early morning of Thursday, August 8, 2024. Bonnie was born April 22, 1938, in Salina, KS to the late Glenn Audrey and Alice Matilda Stover.

Bonnie was married to her soul mate, the late William Robert Blazer, whom she met when he was stationed at Schilling Air Force Base in Salina, for 61 wonderful years.

They had three children, Scott, Diana and Julie. Bonnie accompanied her military husband, Bob, to Air Force bases in Kansas, Michigan, Georgia, and North Carolina during his 20-year career before they settled in Kingsport, TN in 1974. After residing more than 47 years in the family home on Longreen Road, Bonnie most recently was a resident of Brookdale Rock Springs Assisted Living in Kingsport, where she enjoyed her friends, Bingo, rocking on the front porch, restaurant outings, and more.

No one loved a good book more than Bonnie, who gravitated to murder mysteries, suspense and romance novels. She was an accomplished writer, having taken several writing classes, and publishing various stories for True Confession and other magazines over the years. Bonnie was also a creative seamstress and an avid cook, and hosted many dinner parties with her and Bob's friends. A particularly joyful part of her and her family's lives were the many summer vacations they spent at her mother's and father's house on Bull Shoals Lake in Diamond City, AR, where they boated, swam, skied, picnicked, laughed a lot, and just enjoyed each other's company -- and Happy Hour!

Bonnie also had a keen interest in the study of law and was employed as a legal secretary for attorneys in Salina, KS and Kingsport. She also worked for various title companies as a mortgage loan closer until her retirement in 2004.

Although her family has always been the love of her life, Bonnie also managed to volunteer her time working with mentally disabled children, and as a cook and server for Kingsport's Kitchen of Hope. She was also an active member, with her husband, of the Mountain Empire Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America, where they made many dear friends.

Bonnie was a long-time member of Cassidy Methodist Church in Kingsport.

In addition to her children, Scott Blazer (Karen) and Diana Blazer Redd (Steve), both of Knoxville; and Julie Blazer Holt (Jeff) of Blountville, Bonnie is survived by seven grandchildren, Ryan Blazer (Luis) of Long Beach, CA, Christen Holt (Austin) of Blountville, Tyler Blazer of New York, NY, Shannon Card (Thatcher) of Blountville, Wesley Holt (Emma) of Kingsport, and Aaron Redd and Kate Redd of Knoxville; five

great-grandsons, Solomon, Abraham, Benjamin, Bruno, and Roan (due in September); four great-granddaughters, Violet, Salem, Josephine and Em'ely; sister Barbara Foley of San Antonio, TX; brother Fred McCoy (Emily) of Marquette, KS; stepsister Dawn Holland (Jim) of Conway, AR; and many special cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family of Bonnie Blazer will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 15, 2024 at Cassidy Methodist Church, 5801 Memorial Blvd., Kingsport, TN 37664. A Celebration of Life service will follow at the church with Corey Feagins and Tom Hancock officiating. Music will be provided by Todd Potter.

Graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, August 16, 2024 at Mountain Home National Cemetery, Mountain Home, TN. Honorary pallbearers will be Bonnie's son, sons-in-law and grandsons. Those wishing to attend are asked to meet at the cemetery by 12:50 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cassidy Methodist Church (Backpack Ministries), Make-A-Wish, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.cartertrent.com.

The family wishes to thank Bonnie's loving caregiver, Carol Collette, and the caring staff at Brookdale Assisted Living.

Carter-Trent Funeral Home, Kingsport, is serving the Blazer family.