Yvonne “Bonnie” Carol Earhart Thurwalker

Yvonne “Bonnie” Carol Earhart Thurwalker passed away on June 29, 2026 in Cypress, TX surrounded by loved ones after battling Early-onset Alzheimer’s for 16 years. She was 73.

The San Benito, Texas native was born on January 16, 1953 to the late Carlton Nelson Earhart Sr. and Elvia Munguia Earhart. In her youth, Bonnie was known for a bold, achieving spirit. Her accolades include getting her brown belt in karate at 18; founding the San Antonio Roses with legendary sportscaster Dan Cook, an all-women’s football team at the age of 21; and at 22 becoming one of Southwestern Bell Telephone Co.’s first female linemen. Her siblings remember her as a loving, protective, passionate sister.

Bonnie married James Thurwalker in 1975 and together they would establish roots in Cypress, TX, and subsequently in San Antonio, TX. Bonnie was well known in the community for being a leader in women’s ministry. She was proud to tell anyone she met about her Savior, Jesus Christ, and the work he was doing in her life. She loved being a mother, a caretaker, and a servant to those in need. She embodied Christ’s call to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and shelter the orphan. Even towards the end of her dementia battle when much of her memory faded, she would still sing along to worship songs and loved attending Cypress Bible Church.

Bonnie was a light to her many grandchildren. “Nana’s house” in San Antonio, TX became a favorite Spring Break and Summer Vacation destination. Visiting Bonnie and Jim usually involved waking up to fresh breakfast tacos made with extra love, a walk to the San Antonio zoo, a bottomless supply of popsicles, a trip to the Alamo or local museum, lots of Hot Cheetos, pizza and (root) beer dinners, and plenty of hugs. Bonnie continued to serve as a caretaker and volunteered often with local ministries. She faithfully read her Daily Bread Bible and could often be found on the couch with her coffee mug watching a Joseph Prince sermon on TV. Her grandchildren remember her as a Godly, vibrant, caring, larger-than-life woman who loved and served them well. 

She will be dearly missed but now walks with her Savior, her mind and body fully restored.

“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
- 1 Peter 1:6-9

In addition to her parents, Yvonne also was preceded in death by her grandson Micah McAfoose, brother Carlton Earhart, sister Emily Earhart, half-sister Emma Pauline Neff, and stepsister Judy Earhart.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband of 50 years James Thurwalker; son Manrique Thurwalker and wife Traci; daughter Melody Thurwalker McAfoose and husband JR; son Samuel Thurwalker and wife Anne; stepdaughter Jessica Ponder (nee Thurwalker) and husband Chad; stepson Aaron Purcell and wife Jana; and daughter in-law Staci Thurwalker. In addition, grandchildren Alexa Thurwalker, Ross Thurwalker, Mick McAfoose, Mitchell McAfoose, Mace McAfoose, Jack Thurwalker, Grace Thurwalker; step-grandchildren Samuel Ponder, Alexandria Francis (nee Purcell), Riley Purcell and Makenna Purcell; siblings Darrell Earhart, Irma Joyce Earhart, and David Earhart; half-siblings Evelyn Bond, Edith Dobson, Charles Earhart, Virginia Sanders; and stepsiblings Linda Henderson (nee Earhart) Timothy J. Earhart; and numerous nieces and nephews.