When our family moved to Abilene in 1972 so that I could return to school at ACU, one of the first persons we met were Roy and Bonnie Shake. Living just a few doors down the street, they were a blessing to us. I suppose I could describe them as chaordic (someone I heard or read coined that word – chaos/order). For the two years we were there we enjoyed their love and hospitality. Bonnie was a special friend to Ann. There are a lot of people that we meet briefly along the way, and of those there are only a few that are special. Despite our brief encounter, our experience with Bonnie and Roy is permanently imprinted on our souls. As I recently read A Testimony of Devotion, I thought of Bonnie.
When we are drowned in the overwhelming seas of the love of God, we find ourselves in a new and particular relation to a few of our fellows. The relation is so surprising and so rich that we despair of finding a word glorious enough and weighty enough to describe it. The word Fellowship is discovered, but the word is pale and thin in comparison with the rich volume and luminous bulk and warmth of the experience which it would designate. For a new kind of life-sharing and of love has arisen of which we had had only dim hints before.
Thank you Bonnie and Roy.
Bonnie Lou Sargent Shake Abilene Bonnie Lou Sargent Shake, 71, departed this life for one with the redeemed on Saturday, May 30, 2009 in Abilene, Texas. She was born Feb. 3, 1938 in Madison, Wisconsin to Fred and Ila Sargent where she attended school and graduated from West High. On June 7, 1957, she married the love of her life Roy Eugene Shake . In time they moved to Texas where she attended Abilene Christian University and raised six children. Bonnie’s life revolved around people, and she found her calling in rearing children, operating a home day care, mentoring young mothers, and teaching special needs students at Thomas, Woodson, and Bonham elementary schools. The Shakes were also beloved foster parents to more than 100 children through Christian Homes of Abilene. Although small in physical stature, Bonnie was a giant in service to many people. This joyful, selfless and faithful woman of God was an active member at the South 11th and Willis Church of Christ and was well known for her hospitality and home made rolls. She is preceded in death by her parents and survived by her husband Roy, one brother Dale Sargent, her children Roger and wife Susan, Dan and wife Deonna, Linda Allen and husband Kevin, Gary and wife Lisa, Tim and wife Shelley, daughter Misti and eleven grandchildren (who will greatly miss “Memaw”). In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in honor of Bonnie Shake to benefit Sam’s Place, a home for deaf orphans in Kenya, Africa. These may be mailed to the South 11th and Willis Church of Christ, 3309 S. 11th St., Abilene, TX 79605