Bonita Faye White

Bonita Faye White, known to many as B, of Austin, TX passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at the age of 69. Bonita was born on September 25, 1955, in Springfield, Missouri, where she grew up with her father, mother and two older brothers.

After graduating from Willard High School in 1973, Bonita graduated from Southwest Missouri State with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology in 1977, from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education in 1979, and from Angelo State University with a Master of Public Administration degree in 1994.

In 1981 Bonita moved to Texas and began her career in Probation Supervision with the Tom Green Community Supervision and Corrections Department. She began her career as an Adult Probation Officer and had ascended to the role of Assistant Director when she left the Department in 1995 to accept the position of Deputy Director for the Community Justice Assistant Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. In 2000 Bonita began her nine-year tenure as the Director of the Division, retiring in July 2009.

Bonita was passionate about her chosen profession. She sincerely believed in second chances and that lives could be changed with the appropriate level of supervision and treatment. During her career she consistently advocated for best practices based on evidence-based research.

Bonita was actively involved in her community where she previously served as the President of the Rainey Neighbors Association and later as the President of the Board of Directors of the Milago Condominiums Homeowners Association. She and her husband Gary loved living on the hike-and-bike trail on Lady Bird Lake. When not physically on the trail, many hours were spent together on their deck at the Milago appreciating the trail’s beauty and vibrance.

Bonita and the love of her life, Gary Johnson, were together for almost twenty years and ended each day grateful for the time they had together. They loved traveling the world as a couple and often with friends. And like her mother, Bonita never tired of admiring a full moon. Bonita’s love for her family and friends was deep and wide and she felt her love reciprocated. Experiencing the birth, growth and love of six grandchildren enriched her life immensely.

Family, friends and close acquaintances are mourning the loss of a person who cared for them and listened to them. And when you talked to Bonita, you knew she was listening intently and fully engaged.

Bonita was preceded in death by her parents Gordie Cecil White and Ila B. White. She is survived by her adoring husband Gary Johnson, her brothers Doyle White and Dean (Rhonda) White, nephew Justin (Susan) White, nieces Lauren (Matt) White and Caroline White, stepchildren Tara Zachary (Thomas) Pack and Kevin (Angela) Johnson and beloved grandchildren Zoe Zachary, Rai Pack, Ian Pack, Emma Johnson, Peyton Johnson and Cooper Johnson, sister-in-law Karen (Dwight) Spray, great nieces and nephews and numerous other members of her extended family, the Forever Friends circle and loving friends.

A special word of appreciation to Dr. Debra Patt and all the team at Texas Oncology who cared for Bonita as she faced multiple challenges over the previous nine years. Also, Dr. Andy Tau of Austin Gastro provided loving care to Bonita through a particularly difficult time in 2023. His attentiveness to her needs will always be remembered. And the staff of Austin Hospice who gently, compassionately and respectfully helped navigate her final days with the assistance of one of Bonita’s dearest friends, Linda Hartmann.

One of Bonita’s favorite quotes, often attributed to Winston Churchill, was, “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” With dignity and grace, Bonita kept going as long as she could.

There will be a gathering of family and friends for an Appreciation of Life next year at a date and location to be determined.