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Mr. Bryan Trippe Bonner Sr., 85, of Small, passed away Monday, March 16, 2020, at home.

Mr. Bonner was born in Small, North Carolina, to Thomas and Jessie Bonner. He married Mertie Lee on Oct. 22, 1960. Bryan and Mertie raised three children. Mr. Bonner served in the United States Army and attended White Hill Free Will Baptist Church. Bryan was employed at Texasgulf in Aurora for 29 years, until his retirement in 1995. On Aug. 1, 2015, he married Brenda Dixon of Small. Bryan was an avid hunter who loved the outdoors, heavy equipment and gardening. He was a quiet, hard-working man and loved being a Papa to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Bryan was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Jessie Bonner; late wife Mertie Lee Bonner; four sisters, Mae Bonner, Selma Voliva, Jay Burkett and Evlynn Hollowell; and two brothers, Thomas Bonner and Brad Bonner.

He is survived by his wife, Brenda Dixon Bonner, of Small; one son, Bryan T. Bonner Jr. and wife, Jenny, of Washington; two daughters, Jessie Lewis and husband Ed, of Aurora, and Sharon Tripp and husband Jay, of Blounts Creek; one sister, Jackie Ensley, of New Bern; six grandchildren, Josh Edwards and wife, Samantha, Dylan Tripp, Dahlton O’Neal, Jarrett O’Neal, Trippe Bonner and Adam Bonner; two great-grandchildren, Nina Edwards and Brynlee Edwards; two stepdaughters, Linda Hollowell, Betty Armstrong and husband Timmy; and one stepson, Andy and wife Penny; step-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held 3 p.m. Thursday, March 19, 2020, at White Hill Free Will Baptist Church, with the Rev. Wesley Taylor and Rev. David Linton officiating. A graveside service will follow immediately in Dixon Cemetery at White Hill Free Will Baptist Church. Visitation will be 2 p.m. at the church one hour before the service. The family will receive friends at other times at the home, 9388 N.C. Highway 306 S., Aurora. Serving as pallbearers are Josh Edwards, Dylan Tripp, Dahlton O’Neal, Jarrett O’Neal, Trippe Bonner and Adam Bonner.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggested memorial contributions be made to White Hill FWB Church, 9204 Old Sand Hill Road, PO Box 519, Aurora, NC 27806.

Online condolences to the family may be made at bryantfuneralhomeandcrematory.com.

Arrangements are by Bryant Funeral Home & Crematory, Alliance.