In the early morning hours of July 18, 2024, Bonnie Lynne Carter Shanholtz of Brandywine took the hand of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and entered her heavenly home.
Born Dec. 10, 1947, in Darnestown, Maryland, she was the daughter of the late Clinton Franklin and Helen Ivy Parks Carter.
Mrs. Shanholtz could often be heard telling someone that “I love my girls, but my grandchildren and great-grandchildren are just so special to me.”
She spent time with her many nieces and nephews while they were growing up and still remembered all their escapades and how they could escape and go to see Aunt Bonnie. Her heart was big enough that each one had a place inside.
Her caring and faithful friends, Joyce Shockey and family, Patricia Bodkin and family, and her friend since they were teenagers, Patricia Moore, were very dear to her.
Regardless of who she was to a person, whether it be Sweetheart, Momma Cakes, Nana, Bon Bon, Sissy, Aunt Bonnie, or friend, she leaves behind many beautiful memories in the hearts and minds of those she touched.
She spent years showing off her dance moves, singing sweet hymns of faith, babysitting the little ones, teaching Sunday and Bible School, preparing meals for church, and raising her girls “right.” She wasn’t afraid of hard work whether she was working as a blue print operator at Bechtel’s, a certified nursing assistant at Pendleton Nursing Home or a housekeeper at James Madison University. Most importantly, she wasn’t afraid to speak her truth about how good the Lord was to her.
For 24 years, she was married to Harold Glenn Cullers of Moorefield, who is the father of her daughters.
On Sept. 11, 1993, she married her sweetheart, Robert Stancer Shanholtz, who survives.
Also surviving are daughters Glenna Lynne Cullers of Stuarts Draft, Virginia, and Christina Ivy Cullers Turnage (Noah) of Swoope, Virginia; and sisters, Loretta Lee Carter Cregger and Alice “Darlene” Carter Wolfe (William), all of Frederick, Maryland. Also surviving are those who called her Nana, her grandchildren, Rachael Alicia Kuykendall (Christian), Hunter Anderson Ruddle, Cody James Kuykendall, Maryanna Caroline Turnage, Noah “Parker” Turnage II, Dalton Riley Ruddle and Hayden Calvin Kuykendall and great-grandsons, Abel Reid Frasure and Matthew James Frasure.
Also celebrating with her in heaven are her sisters, Joyce Elaine Carter, Shirley Ann Carter Burdette, Janet Marie Carter Waldrop Rose, her brother, Franklin Eugene Carter, her grandson, Aaron Glenn Kuykendall, and her dear friend, Donna Kay Gillespie.
The family would like to thank Glenna, Rachael, and Christian who opened their home to her as her illness progressed to provide a greater level of care. The family is also grateful for Gentiva Hospice nurses, Mikayla Phillips and Elizabeth Coleman, for their kindness and care in the last weeks of her life.
A special thank you to Henry Funeral Home in Staunton, Virginia, for their care and assistance immediately after her passing, as well as Basagic Funeral Home for their guidance and service to the family.
The funeral service was held Wednesday at the Cedar Grove Church of the Brethren in Brandywine Pastor Daryl Ritchie officiating. Burial was at the Sugar Grove Cemetery in Sugar Grove.
Memories and words of comfort may be left at www.basagic.com.
May the Lord bless all of the faithful followers at Cedar Grove Church of the Brethren who provided a meal for friends and family after the service.
She shed many tears over the young ones impacted by pain and disease. She faithfully supported St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital and Shriners Hospitals for Children. Please consider donating to either hospital in her memory.
