Bonetta Chaffin

Bonetta Carol Chaffin passed peacefully at home on November 23, 2023. She was born on April 30, 1933, in Louisa, Kentucky. Growing up during the Depression brought tough times but also cherished memories like riding horseback with her Grandpa whom she loved dearly; dressing up her favorite cat Rachel; getting a Christmas stocking filled with an apple, orange and peppermint stick; and drinking grape pop on the Fourth of July.

Bonetta being 8th grade valedictorian was an honor that she shared with her best friend, Mary. As a teenager, she worked in Circleville with her sister Phyllis where they took turns climbing onto a narrow ledge to change the Cliftona Theatre marquee. At Circleville High School, Bonetta endured Latin to earn honors, and wrote a book report on Mexico so vivid that her teacher thought she’d been there.

As soon as she graduated, Bonetta started working in Columbus, riding a Greyhound bus and then transferring to a city bus to get there. She seldom took a sick day, but took a week off before Christmas to make fudge and bake cookies. Bonetta started with Weekly Reader in a glass block building at Front and Cherry Streets, and retired from a high rise on a campus of federal agencies.

When she went back to work after stopping to raise two daughters, Bonetta brought home lots of books and enrolled her daughters in an explorer club that sent curiosities from around the world. And a tiny Siamese kitten that she and Dad hid in the basement was a wonderful surprise for their youngest, Michelle, one special Christmas morning. Over the years, Bonetta perfected her recipes for three-potato salad, crockpot dressing and carrot cake to the delight of her family. She took great pleasure in decorating for all the holidays and finding just the right Christmas sweater.

Bonetta’s greatest happiness was her grandchildren – Savannah, Corey, Nick and Jesse – and her great-grandsons – Knox and Elliott. They gave her so much pleasure, and their beautiful photos were always next to her, bringing her joy.

Bonetta was preceded in death by her mother Lula Thompson Adams and step-father Delbert Adams; sisters Phyllis Tatman, Ruth Callahan and Betty Floyd and infant sister Patricia Ann; brother Jack Adams and infant brother Larry Delbert; niece Chastity Moore and several other beloved nieces and nephews; and former spouse John Chaffin. Bonetta leaves behind daughters Michelle Myers and Angela Chaffin; grandchildren Savannah (Allen Harris) Thimmes, Corey (Kylinn) Thimmes, Nick Thimmes and Jesse Myers; great-grandsons Knox Harris and Elliott Thimmes; sister Linda (Ed) Moore; great-nephew Austin (Amy) Moore; and more dearly loved nephews, nieces, great-nieces and great-nephews; close friends Marvin Thimmes and Eileen Boughner and friends at Grovewood Place who have been so kind.

Mount Carmel Hospice has provided an endless stream of compassionate and skilled care, and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts.  Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at the Wellman Funeral Home, Circleville with burial to follow in Heavenly Hills Cemetery.  Visitation will be on Tuesday from 11-1. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Jude children's Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Way, Mephis, TN 38105 or Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Childrens Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43205.  Online condolences can be made to www.wellmanfuneralhomes.com.