Bonnie Russ Butler, a formerly state and nationally ranked amateur tennis player, died Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at age 80.
A memorial event will be scheduled. Arrangements are by Rush.
The family is grateful for care and attention in Bonnie’s last days from her nurse Mandy Dicus and aide Monica Washington and others on the Compassionate Care Hospice team.
Survivors include her husband of 60 years, Jim Butler of Alexandria; a son, Stacy Butler of New Waverly, TX; six grandchildren, Trey Warner of Gonzales, Jacob Warner of Alexandria, Breane Wilson of Claremore, OK, Chance Simmons of Eaton, CO, Tanner Butler of New Waverly, Lacie Babin of Conroe, TX; and 10 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Tiffany Diane Butler; her parents, Sidney Isaac Russ and Louise Brown Russ Hines; three brothers, Charles Russ, Frank ‘Pete’ Russ, Tommy Russ; and three sisters, Phyllis Russ Wilson Wallace Dupuy, Nora Willis and Kathy Sue Russ Demars Crochet.
During her working years Bonnie, a business college graduate, worked for Western Auto and General Nutrition Corp. and in the real estate appraisal industry.
She also assisted for a time as a tennis coach at Holy Savior Menard Central High and at Alexandria Aquatic & Racquet Club. She also coached Dixie softball and Civitan soccer and was a Rapides School Volunteer.
Bonnie was an accredited US Tennis Association linesperson and officiated both women and men matches at the professional tour level.
During her tennis years she reached a number five state singles ranking. She and partner Robert Cavanaugh attained a number three mixed doubles ranking and she and sister-in-law Robin Shaffer reached a number 15 national ranking in the 50+ doubles division. Bonnie won more than 40 singles and doubles titles during her tennis years.
She often talked about how the four corners at Horseshoe & Masonic Drives in Alexandria played such a part in her life.
She spent five teenage (13-17) years at the Masonic Home (good and not-so-good, she would say), got formative religious exposure at then-Horseshoe Baptist, peddled pecans and bottle deposits to J.O. Allen at his store and years later found her spiritual home at Christian Worship Center where she assisted in many “helps” ministries, was among the first graduates of In Christ International Bible College, served on mission trips to Greece, Italy and Turkey and was recognized as the church’s Woman of the Year.
The family requests those wishing to memorialize Bonnie do so through CWC or Mark Hankins Ministries.