Bonnie Trentham Myers

Bonnie Trentham Myers (92) passed away August 10, 2014 in Sarasota, FL. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Ray T. Myers, her parents, Noah and Mary Jane Trentham, her son, Don Myers, sisters Gladys (Sam) Russell and Kate (Hulett) Stogner, brothers Sam and Harmon Trentham and her late husband, Roy Ruszkowsky. She is survived by daughter Lyn (Ed) Boyer of Sarasota, Florida, son Glenn (Sharon) Myers of Maryville, daughter-in-law Donna C. Myers of Knoxville, and sister-in-law, Ruby Trentham of Maryville. Her grandchildren are Andrea (Jason) Knight of Maryville, Jennifer (Greg) Qualls of Knoxville, Diana (Ken) Lennox of Tampa, FL, Amanda (Will) Purushotham of Knoxville, Aaron (Lauren) Myers of Knoxville, Eric (Olivia) Myers of Knoxville, Emily (Nick) Goddard of Maryville, and Andrew (Kirsten) Boyer of Sarasota, Florida. She is also survived by16 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She was born about ¼ mile from the current Sugarlands Visitors Center before the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was established. In addition to church work and her work at Blount Memorial Hospital, Bonnie enjoyed collecting and sharing information about life before the Park. She wrote three books and spoke at numerous events on this topic. However, Bonnie often said her greatest contribution was that with her husband, Ray T. Myers, she helped to organize Madison Avenue Baptist Church and she gave it its name. Family and friends will assemble for graveside memorial at Grandview Cemetery in Maryville at 3:00 p.m. August 16 with Terry M. Russell, her nephew, presiding. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can go to Friends of the Smokies. Smith Funeral and Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Bonnie Trentham Myers please visit our Sympathy Store.