Bonnie Elam Lockard, 74, of Columbus, MS passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, July 13, 2017.

Visitation will be Monday, July 17, 2017, from 10:00 – 11:00 AM at Lowndes Funeral Home, Columbus, MS. A funeral service will follow Monday, July 17, 2017, at 11:00 AM at Lowndes Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Kenny Gardner officiating. A graveside service will be held Monday, July 17, 2017, at 2:00 PM at Tuscaloosa Memorial Park, Tuscaloosa, AL.

Bonnie was born April 4, 1943, in Brent, AL to the late Leon and Willodean Meigs Elam. She was the last of four children. Bonnie's elementary and high school was in the Bibb County School system. She was a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa in 1965, Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama in Birmingham in 1973, and her Doctorate of Education from Mississippi State University in 1982. Bonnie was an instructor of Druid City Hospital School of Nursing in Tuscaloosa from 1965-1973, Assistant Professor of Nursing at Mississippi University for Women in Columbus from 1973-1982, and Associate Professor from 1982-1985. She was a Professional Advisor for Compassionate Friends in Columbus since 1982 and Hospice Program in Columbus since 1985. Bonnie had been a Nursing Professor since 1985, until retirement in 2000, at Mississippi University for Woman. Bonnie was a Registered Nurse in Mississippi, a Pediatric Nurse Practioner, Family Nurse Practioner and a Certified Death Educator. She was a Member of the American Nurses Association, Association for Death Education and Counseling, Daughters of the American Revolution, and Sigma Theta Tau (Excellence in Nursing Education Award in 1986). She worked as an advisor for Compassionate Friends and Hospice. Bonnie also enjoyed reading, traveling and researching. In addition to her parents, Bonnie was preceded in death by her in laws, W.G. Lockard and Ethel Lockard, her brother and sister-in-law- Edwin and Phyllis Elam, brothers-in-law- John Lunsford, and Greg Lockard

Mrs. Lockard is survived by her devoted husband- William "Bill" Lockard of Columbus, MS; son- Chad Lockard of Columbus, MS; daughter- Amy (Beau) Lockard Lee and two cherished grandchildren William Lee, and Meagan Lee of Hoover, AL; sisters- Maylene Hubbard of Tuscaloosa, AL, and Sarah Lunsford of Brent, AL; nephews- Len (Nancy) Elam, Gerald (Sandy) Elam, Ray (Laurie) Hubbard, and Grant (Cammy) Hubbard; nieces- Joy (Jerry) Beverly, and Marie (Roger) Cash; 14 great nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be family. Honorary pallbearers will be Stan Weathers, Mike Shelton, Gary Stewart, Richard Fleming, Buddy Easley, Arnell Brown, Coy Mitchell, Senator Doc Cannon, and Gene Guyton.

A very special thanks to the caregivers, Annie Newman, U'Neco Love-Harris, Angelia Love, Bro. Clark Richard and staff of Baptist Hospice.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.