Bonnie Jean (Black) Martin passed away peacefully surrounded by love and held by family on January 4, 2026 at Slidell Memorial Hospital, Slidell, Louisiana. Bonnie Jean spent 80 years on this earth loving and giving of herself unconditionally, laughing heartily and living life the best way she knew how. Born August 12,1945, into a commercial fishing family, Bonnie Jean spent the first half of her life in Florida, where she spent her younger years full of adventure on the ocean, rivers and beaches in South Florida– places, family and friends she carried in her heart forever. Wanting to be closer to her brothers and family, Bonnie Jean moved with her family to Hopedale, Louisiana, where she became a beloved resident of St. Bernard parish for the past 43 years. Bonnie Jean worked with her brothers in their commercial fishing business before following her true calling: nursing. As an exceptional and compassionate nurse, Bonnie Jean devoted 25 years to caring for others, retiring at the age of 72. Her family was her greatest love. She believed in the bond, the love and the commitment of family. Bonnie loved unconditionally, was fiercely loyal and would be the one person on this earth that you know would always love and protect you with all her might. She was compassionate, empathetic and treated everyone like her family. She never met a stranger and would give anything she had if someone needed it more. She could also be stubborn and firm and would tell you her thoughts whether you wanted to hear them or not, though she never wavered on fairness. Bonnie had a fierce love of life and never gave up despite years of crippling pain. Bonnie Jean would say ' the pain reminds me I'm alive and as long as I have my family I'm ok '. Bonnie loved the water, she loved music and dancing, she loved cooking and family gatherings, she was an avid reader, loved history and was a talented seamstress. Bonnie Jean spent many loving hours sewing outfits for her children and making costumes for her grandchildren. Her family cherishes memories of laughter and dancing at family parties, fishing on the Florida jetties, Maw Maw Bonnie's sleepovers, jumping in the bounce house and ultimately tipping it over, swimming and wrestling in the pool, being buried in the sand at the beach, sliding down the slip and slide and floating down the river on our camping trips. Bonnie Jean is the mother of six children, grandmother of thirty-three, great-grandmother of twenty- six, and great-great-grandmother of two – a legacy of love that will continue for generations. Bonnie was preceded in death by her husband Marvin Lee Martin; her children, Michael David Martin(Velma) and Bonnie Lee Martin(Bernard); her parents Ira Winthrop Black and Bonnie Mae(the late Ellis 'Chief' Franks); and her brothers Ira Fredrick 'Freddie' (the late Debbie) Black and John Edward 'Eddie' (the late Wendy) Black. Bonnie is survived by her loving children Frank Edward(the late Anna Liza) Waldrop III, Ira Christopher Waldrop(Donna), Tammy Lynn Bruno(John 'Button') and Alisa Kay Abouomar(Omar); and half-sisters Anna(Black) and Pamela(Black); her step-sister Kathy(Houston); as well as her loving grandchildren, great- grandchildren, great- great- grandchildren and by many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends. Bonnie's family and friends will remember her unconditional love, her warm hugs and laughter, her dancing and storytelling at family gatherings, her compassion, her strength, her generosity, her resilience and her fierce love of family and life. Her family finds comfort knowing she was welcomed into God's loving and forgiving arms and is surrounded by our beloved family members who went before her. Bonnie's Celebration of Life will be held at 12.30 pm on January 24, 2026, at 4 Southcreek Lane, Violet, Louisiana.