Bonnie Brooks Palmer Hilliard, 88, of Greenwood, twice married first to the late Roger Mack Palmer and second to the late Kenneth Ray Hilliard, Sr. passed away Sunday, November 10, 2024 at Hospice and Palliative Care of the Piedmont.
Born in Bolt, West Virginia, on October 13, 1936, she was a daughter of the late John Jacob Brooks and Pansy Marie Snuffer Brooks. Bonnie led a remarkable life filled with compassion, dedication, and love for her family, friends, and community.
After graduating from Trapp High School, she pursued her passion for nursing and obtained her nursing degree from McMillan Hospital School of Nursing. She dedicated her career to caring for others as a registered nurse at Hospice and Palliative Care of the Piedmont, where her exceptional dedication earned her the Kenneth Jack Parham Award in 2001. Her career with hospice exemplified her unwavering commitment to caring for others, leaving a lasting impact on all those she tended to.
Her love for the Lord was apparent in all aspects of her life, guiding her to always walk the right path and remain humble and kind-hearted through life's trials. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Saluda, where her faith and love for community shone brightly.
Devoted not only to her work but also to her family, Bonnie was a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Her culinary skills were unmatched, her love for gardening and the outdoors was evident, and her dedication to both the Boy Scouts and South Carolina High School Rodeo Association was apparent to all who knew her. She found solace in tending to her pineapple trees and enjoyed the simplicity of digging in the dirt.
She also ventured into a unique undertaking, purchasing a chicken farm on a whim, symbolizing her spirit of fearlessness and resilience.
Bonnie's legacy of love, generosity, and strength will continue to inspire all who were fortunate enough to have known her. She will be remembered for her infectious spirit, her love for her family, and her unwavering faith in the Lord.
She is survived by her son, Paul Palmer (Patty); stepchildren, Alisa Smith (Ricky), Kenneth R. Hilliard , Jr. (Johanna), and Anita Graham (Ray); sister, Betty Lee Long (Edward); brother, James Franklin Reese; grandchildren, Crystal Duncan (Brandon), Brooke Goldman, Leigh Todd, Mandi Palmer, Zach Todd, Mack Palmer (Hannah), Maggi Palmer, Lilli Palmer, Kaylee Palmer, Jason Gallop (Julie), Dennis Clingerman (Stephanie), and Dana Scott (Joe); and great grandchildren, Kassidy Duncan, Cole Duncan, Kennedy Brannen, Max Brannen, Brayden Martin, Easton Martin, Ashten Barnes, Liam Gallop, Emma Gallop, Cheyenne Clingerman, Paisley Clingerman, Nakisha Mathieu, Tatiannah Mathieu, Chase Scott, Nicholas Scott, and Meredith Scott; and great great grandchildren, Kaden and Shaley.
In addition to her husbands, Roger and Kenneth, she was preceded in death by three children, Lori Todd, Roger Palmer, and Timothy Shannon Palmer and brother, John Thomas Edward Brooks.
Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday at Trinity Church Cemetery with the Pastor Ray Farmer officiating.
The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday at Harley Funeral Home and Crematory.
Messages and photos may be shared with the family by visiting Bonnie's life tribute page at www.harleyfuneralhome.com .