Bonnie Jean (Hudspeth) Cartwright was born near Roasting Ear (”˜roast near’) creek and the small community of Pleasant Hill in Stone County, Arkansas on April 29, 1926, to James Otto and Inez Wallace Hudspeth. She finished her earthly journey to begin her Heavenly reunion on Tuesday morning, January 14, 2025.
A child of the Great Depression, her family struggled much during those years, going east to chop cotton in the spring and back to pick cotton in the fall. In so many ways, it was ”˜hand to mouth’, but she spoke so fondly of her childhood and fiercely loved her family. Those childhood years made a tremendous impact on her and helped direct her resolve and love of family for the remainder of her life. She determinedly worked her way through high school, then worked in Iowa and Memphis following graduation before coming home to marry her sweetheart, Edwin Cartwright in 1948. She and Edwin were married on June 20, 1948, and through the course of their lives raised six boys and one girl. She lived her dream as a wonderful homemaker, wife, mom and grandma/granny. As she often put it, after moving to their little place on top of the mountain, ”˜they had the world by the tail.’ And that’s how she lived her life. She loved hard work, being outside, sitting in her porch swing, working her garden, quilting, putting puzzles together and attending family reunions. Her chocolate cake and sweet tea were historical. And she liked nothing better than an ice-cold Dr. Pepper. In her later years, she engaged deeply with her neighbors, forging lifelong friendships with many that she considered as sisters. She was a patriot with an evident love of country, enjoyed eating out with family and friends and absolutely treasured family history, incredibly knowing every name and detail of individuals and their families.
There was no quit in Bonnie Jean, even through the tragic loss of her little boy, Randy, in 1964 and Ed’s extended illness”¦.she persevered and believed in the goodness of life. Her spirit was indomitable, demonstrated by her living independently until almost 97. And she was genuine to the core. She loved and lived for her family and unapologetically lived out the scripture of Matthew 6:21 that says, ”For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”. She cared little about the material things of this life but placed her treasure squarely into the Eternal; that of faith, family and friends. She will be missed. But just like the light from a beautiful sunset that lingers long after setting, her life will reflect into the years ahead.
Well done good and faithful servant.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Edwin F. Cartwright, her son, Randy, her parents Otto and Inez Hudspeth, two brothers J.W. and Horace Hudspeth and many, many loved ones and good friends. She is survived by her son Michael (Reda) of Fifty Six, Arkansas; son Allan (Alice) of Evening Shade, Arkansas; son Ricky (Lynette) of Fayetteville, Arkansas; daughter Christine (Corky) of Mountain View, Arkansas; son Kevin (Ann) of Fifty Six, Arkansas; and son Kelly (Kirsten) of West Fork, Arkansas. And a mighty host of more than 90 grandchildren (and spouses), great-grandchildren (and spouses) and great-great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers from her most loved family are: George Cartwright, Jarred Cartwright, Seth Cartwright, Michael Baker, James Cartwright, and Weston Cartwright. Honorary pallbearers are Donald Cartwright, Bobby Joe Cartwright, Timmy Hudspeth, Tony Hudspeth, Tracy Hudspeth, Tony Corter, Sonny Cartwright and the remaining grandsons.
Visitation for Bonnie Jean is Friday, January 17, 2025, from 6:00-8:00 PM at Roller Crouch Chapel in Mountain View, Arkansas. Funeral services are Saturday, January 18, 2025, 2:00 PM at Fifty Six Missionary Baptist Church in Fifty Six, Arkansas. Interment is at Spoonflat Cemetery in Fifty Six, Arkansas following the service.
Roller Crouch Funeral Home in Mountain View, Arkansas is in charge of the arrangements.
