Bonnie Lee Bauguess

Bonnie Billings Bauguess, age 97, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at the SECU Hospice Home. She was born on March 22, 1928, to Dallas and Lessie Billings. Bonnie grew up in the Traphill community alongside her two brothers and four sisters.

It was in Traphill that Bonnie met the love of her life, Arvin Bauguess. She was 13, and he was 19 when their paths first crossed. After two years of courtship, they were married on September 11, 1943, and shared 61 years of marriage built on devotion, hard work, and deep family roots.

Bonnie and Arvin raised their family in Roaring River, where the entire household worked together on the farm. Over the years, they grew 48 tobacco crops and operated poultry houses for Holly Farms. A large garden kept the family busy throughout the year. Bonnie, along with her daughters, canned vegetables to fill the pantry for winter.

A talented homemaker, Bonnie sewed dresses for her five girls as they grew up. She was known for her good country cooking. Dishes like turnip greens and pinto beans were among her favorites. She always followed with something sweet. Cakes, pies, or her well-loved banana pudding were her favorites.

Bonnie was a member of Rachel Baptist Church. In January 2009, she was honored as the Senior Shining Star.

Bonnie is survived by her sons, Harvey Bauguess, Ted Bauguess and his wife Wanda, and Larry Bauguess and his wife Susan; and her daughters, Irene Glass and her husband David, Linda Redding and her husband Steve, Shirley Sidden and her husband Russell, Mary Sidden and her husband Dale, and Barbara Haynes and her husband Todd. Daughter-in-law Linda Bauguess Nance. 

She is also survived by 20 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren, all of whom carry forward her love.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband; her sons, Aldean Bauguess and Raymond Bauguess; her brothers, Marvin Billings and Olin Billings; and her sisters, Ruby Cheek, Mozelle Woodruff, Emmie Billings, and Annie Dyer; her Daughter-in-law Lois Bauguess 

All services will be private for family and close loved ones. Donations can be made to Rachel Baptist Church, 6388 White Plains Rd, Roaring River, NC 28669.