Bonnie Jo Hagans

Bonnie Jo Van Deventer Hagans was a great grandmother, grandmother, mother and wife during almost 94 years of life. Bonnie passed away peacefully during the early morning hours of Tuesday, July 25, 2023. Bonnie was born in Stillwater, Oklahoma on August 18, 1929 to Marie Bazzell Van Deventer and Cecil Forrest Van Deventer. Her father worked as a mechanic. Bonnie also worked in her grandmother's café as a teen. The family moved to Colorado where her dad co-owned an auto repair shop. A few years later the family moved to Los Angeles where he worked as a mechanic and also had his own machine shop and made airplane parts for Northrup. Bonnie had one sibling, Irwinna "Tootsie" Van Deventer Downes. They graduated High School in Los Angeles. After school, Bonnie worked in a gift shop and also modeled for Sears Roebuck Company. Bonnie met her spouse, James Edward "Rock" Hagans, Jr. during WWII. They were married in Norfolk, Virginia on April 2, 1948. Rock was a Mustang (enlisted to Chief) and quickly promoted to an Officer in the US Navy. Bonnie supported Rock's career and they traveled and experienced many cultures until his retirement in 1970. She was a stay-at home mom during those years and prioritized caring for her four children, Debbie, Jim, Jay, and Jeff. After Navy retirement, Bonnie and Rock became licensed realtors and worked in Real Estate in Washington State. Rock had the opportunity to manage a Datsun dealership in Escondido, California which led Bonnie and Rock moving the family to Southern California. After a few years of learning the business, in 1974 Rock and Bonnie decided to move to Russellville, Arkansas and bought their first new car dealership, Hagans Datsun, Inc. Bonnie dedicated her time in managing the Office and Document Support Staff. In 1976, Rock and Bonnie purchased their second dealership in Russellville, Hagans Dodge Chrysler Plymouth Jeep. In 1979, they purchased their third dealership in Morrilton, Hagans Dodge Chrysler Plymouth. In 2003, they purchased their fourth dealership, Mountain View Chevrolet in Mountain View. Both the Morrilton and the Mountain View dealerships are still family owned and operated by the Hagans family to this day. Bonnie worked at the dealership every day from 1974 to the start of Covid in 2020. Many years she drove back and forth to the Mountain View Chevrolet dealership. Bonnie was a generous employer and philanthropist. She donated generously to multiple organizations in the community and her church. Bonnie was a faithful member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Plumerville, Arkansas. She enjoyed spending time with family and grandchildren, loved to garden (especially her African violets) and she loved to travel. Bonnie was an incredible cook, having learned from childhood. Her travel experiences gave her the opportunity to learn to cook many international dishes. She loved sharing her famous pies and unique dishes. Bonnie loved her teacup poodles who accompanied her everywhere she went. Bonnie was preceded in death by her husband Rock Hagans of 64 years, who passed away on February 3, 2012. She is survived by her children, CDR, NC, US (ret) Deborah G. Williams, Dr. James E. (Lisa) Hagans III, CPL (ret) Jay P. (April) Hagans, Jeffrey F. (Karin) Hagans. She had eleven grandchildren: Jessica (John) Wells, Charity (Paul) Edelman, Lauren Hagans, Caitlin (Jake) Bunger, Patricia (Charlie) Osborn, Scott Hagans, Tyler (Stori) Honeycutt, Abby Hagans, Ely Hagans, Tyler Pelley and Savannah Pelley. She also had nine great grandchildren: Weston Wells, Lylah Wells, Grace Edelman, Tommy Edelman, Brayden Means, Carlie Osborn, Carter Osborn, Heidi Honeycutt and Hollen Honeycutt. Bonnie also leaves behind a beloved church family, friends and her precious poodle, Pearl, who will sadly miss her. Funeral services will be held at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Plumerville on Saturday, August 12, 2023, with visitation at 1pm and the service at 2 pm. Burial will follow at the Rest Haven Memorial Park in Russellville, Arkansas.

Bonnie Jo Hagans

August 18, 1929 - July 25, 2023