Bonnie Matthews McKeever's Obituary
Bonnie Matthews McKeever, 73, of Germantown passed away Saturday, January 12, 2019 after a valiant four-year battle with cancer. She was born in Winona, MS, December 15, 1945, to John Denman Matthews and Dorothy Halman Owen. Raised in Memphis, Bonnie graduated from Kingsbury High School and attended University of Memphis.Bonnie began her professional career at Plough in Human Resources before performing as a consultant for Johnson Controls. Joining the original Federal Express Corporation (FedEx Express) in 1979, Bonnie began as an insurance supervisor. She quickly rose through the ranks becoming the first Director of Benefits for the corporation, one of few women achieving the Director rank during the 1980’s, and also became a founding member for the Memphis Business Group on Health. Retiring in 2003, Bonnie was widely respected by FedEx executive management, peers, management teams and employees.An avid sportswoman, Bonnie excelled in softball, bowling, and golf. In recent years, she was a past President of the Windyke’s Ladies Golf League. A devoted Memphis Tiger fan, Bonnie enjoyed all Tiger sporting events through the years. Bonnie enjoyed traveling, was in several bridge clubs, and was a master gardener.Bonnie was married to Robert (Rip) McKeever for 45 years. She leaves behind her son, Ryan McKeever (David Skinner); daughter Kelly McKeever Nelson (Mack); and grandchildren: Madi Nelson Shumake (Caleb); Nelle Skinner; Chet Skinner; and Hartley Nelson. She also leaves sister Beth Matthews Dowtin (Tom); brother Steve Halman (Virginia); sister Debbie Matthews Crawley (Stuart); sister-in-law Kathleen McKeever Rouse (Joe); brother-in-law Chris McKeever, and sister-in-law Mary McKeever Swinburne (Ken). Bonnie also had devoted nieces and nephews, extended family, and many friends in Memphis and throughout the country.A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, January 18 at 4:00 p.m. The family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. until the service. Flowers are welcome or memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society.Arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38119 (901) 767-8930. “Celebrating Life… Behind the Stone Wall”.
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