Ms. Ella Mae Bonds, age 93 of Gonzales, Texas, passed away on April 27, 2024.

Ella Mae Bonds was born December 8, 1930, in Gonzales County to Easter Mae Erskine-McClure and Horace Redd. She married Freddie M. Bonds Sr. and to this union, twelve children were born. They were married 52 years before he passed. She attended school in Leesville, Texas, and received Christ at an early age in the Bonds Colony community. Valuing education, she went on to obtain her General Education Degree (GED) at the age of 76 years old. She worked for the Luling Care Center as a Cook for over 25 years.  During her 25-year tenure, she received numerous awards and certifications.  She loved to cook. She was a cook's cook. Everyone enjoyed her turkey and dressing and sweet potato meals.

She was a member of the Bonds Colony Church of God in Christ under The Reverend F. C. Crawford, Elder C. Daniel, and Reverend Web Lewis. Later she moved her membership to the Martin Memorial Church of God in Christ, Luling, Texas under the leadership of Reverend J. Russ and Superintendent Paul Thompson until her health declined.

She was preceded in death by her husband, one grandchild, three sisters, and one brother.

She leaves to cherish her memories 12 children: seven daughters, Doris Brown (Joe) Cibolo, Tx; Mae Bonds, Gonzales, Tx; Evelyn Bonds, Austin Tx; Sharon Bonds-Watson (Don) Austin Tx; Wanda Bonds-Nash (Henry) Killeen, Tx; Michelle Bonds, San Antonio, Tx; Denise Bonds (DJ) Schertz, Tx; and five sons: Freddie M. Bonds Jr. (Mary) Caldwell Tx; Hosea Bonds, Seguin, Tx; Kenneth Bonds (Lois) Cibolo, Tx; Dennis Bonds, New Braunfels, Tx; Timothy Bonds (Chunta), Cibolo, Tx;  20 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild—host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends and to her childhood cousin Georgia Mae Butler.

A visitation will be held Friday, May 3, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Tres Hewell Mortuary Chapel. Visitation will continue on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at St. James Baptist Church in Belmont, Texas. Funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at St. James Baptist Church in Belmont, Texas with Pastor Robert A. Davis eulogizing. Interment will be in the Bonds Colony Palestine Cemetery in Leesville, Texas.

Pallbearers will be Sean Brown, LaPaka Bonds, Kanan Amor, Terrance Johns, Kenney Bonds, Kendrick Bonds, Tory Carr, Jacoby Wilkerson, and Jaylen Bonds. Honorary pallbearers will be Freddie Bonds Jr, Hosea Bonds, Kenneth Bonds, Dennis Bonds, and Timothy Bonds.