Bonnie Mae Rater, 86, of Blossom, Texas passed away peacefully with family at her home on October 23, 2025.
The family will receive friends at Fry and Gibbs Funeral Home on Sunday October 26, 2025 from 3-5 PM. Graveside service will be held at Knights of Honor Cemetery in Blossom, Texas at 2 PM Monday October 27th with Rev. Mike Suits officiating.
Bonnie was born on February 13, 1939 in Longview, Texas to Alton and Bonita Coston. She was married to Morris Russell Outland on June 1, 1957 who preceded her in death on February 25, 1976, they had 3 wonderful children together. Bonnie married James “Jim” Alexander Rater on November 30, 1979 who preceded her in death September 27, 2009. Bonnie was a bookkeeper for Cattlemen’s Livestock Commission in Paris, Tx and wherever Jim Rater bought cattle for many years. She was also a manager of Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy Store in Paris on Lamar and Bonham Street. She was a life-long active member of the Nazarene church in Blossom, Tx, where she led worship in song. She always had a flower garden where she grew beautiful irises that stopped traffic and started conversations.
Bonnie is survived by her 3 children, Jeanne and husband Steve Campbell of Belton, Tx, Larry Outland of Blossom, Tx and Michael and wife Susan Outland of Blossom, Tx, Terry Ann and husband Billy Cavender of Pattonville, Tx and Randy Rater. She is survived by one of her brothers Hardy and wife Arlene Coston of Wister, Ok. Bonnie loved all of her grandchildren Jeremy and wife Sara Langley, Josh Langley, Ethan and wife Jaci Holyk, Jessica and husband Spencer Wight, Andrew and wife Elaine Outland, Ashley and husband Kevin Cook, Courtney and husband Darren Lane of Blossom, Tx, Matt and wife Jenny Cavender of Paris, Tx and Cody and wife Lauren Cavender of Royse City, Tx. She had multiple great-grandchildren Conner and Colton Wight, Eleanor and Amelia Outland, Madelyn Mae and Emma Kate Langley, Laurel, Bayne and Slade Holyk, Cambria, Dixie and Salem Cook, Aiden, Ella, Maggie Mae, Samuel Lane, Noah Cannon, Abram Cavender and Cami Cavender. Bonnie is survived my many nieces and nephews who she loved dearly.
Bonnie was preceded in death by her loving husbands Morris Russell Outland and James “Jim” Alexander Rater, and two beloved brothers Wayne and Gary Coston, and her mother and Father, Rev. A.H. and Bonita Coston.
We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the loving care she received from Hospice Plus and her 24-hour caregivers Judy Yeager and Cheyenne Swan. They allowed us to have Bonnie at home where she remained happy and comfortable until her great reunion with the Lord.
Online condolences may be sent to the Rater family by visiting www.fry-gibbs.com
