Bonnie ( Belle ) Pickering Gillis' Obituary
Bonnie (Belle) Pickering Gillis, age 95, passed away peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior on February 14, 2026. We know she and Dad were overjoyed to spend Valentine’s Day together again.
She was born on October 24, 1930, to Ruby Pearl (Dungan) Pickering and Robert Perry Pickering in Barlow, Mississippi. She graduated from Hazlehurst High School in 1948 after spending her senior year with her cousin (Monie Reynolds Tipton). She then moved to New Orleans and attended secretarial school for 2 years. After returning to the Jackson, Mississippi area, she worked at Electrolux and married the love of her life, Joseph (Pete) Gillis. The two settled in Jackson, Mississippi, and then welcomed two children, Rocky and Tami.
The Gillis family moved to Austin, Texas in 1964 for Pete’s work with the Internal Revenue Service and then moved to the neighborhood of Lake Highlands in Dallas in 1975, where they lived for almost 50 years. After Pete passed away in 2024, she moved to Brookdale Collin Oaks where she remained until her death.
Bonnie was a stay-at-home mom until 1978 – when she went to work in the Payroll Department of Southern Methodist University. She retired from SMU 25 years later and was sorely missed. Upon retirement, Bonnie spent her days enjoying new adventures and making memories with her best friend and husband of 73 years, Pete. They loved traveling with their close friends the Collier’s and the Seiter’s. Nothing brought Bonnie more delight than spending quality time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, all of whom dearly loved their “Bobo.” They still say she gave the best back rubs ever.
Remembered as a loving wife, mother, mother-in-law, daughter, sister, sister-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend, Bonnie’s legacy extends far beyond familial ties. She was renowned for her sewing expertise and crafts. Additionally, she loved cooking, had a knack for crossword puzzles and enjoyed family get-togethers. Bonnie’s unwavering generosity, infectious smile, and quick wit endeared her to all who crossed her path. She will truly be missed by all. Though parted from us on earth, Bonnie lives on in the hearts of those she touched, and we find solace in the belief that we will one day be reunited.
Bonnie is survived by her two children Joseph Robert “Rocky” Gillis (Cindy), and Tami Trostel (Mike), granddaughters Kristin Mijares (Dan), Paige Long (Cory), Courtney “Alex” Gillis-Gardner (Jessica), Melanie Terrell (Tyler), and Julie Anne Pruden (Eric), and great-grandchildren Michelle Mijares, Isabella Mijares, Cole Mijares, Connor Mijares, Fitz Long, Emily Terrell, Everett Long, Julia Terrell and Calum Pruden. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Jean Vanlandingham of Hazlehurst, Mississippi to whom she was very close, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband Joseph (Pete) Gillis, her parents, Robert and Ruby Pickering, and sister, Elsie Faye Walker.
Services will be held at Restland in Memorial Chapel, 13005 Greenville Ave, Dallas, Texas 75243, on Monday, March 2, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Inurnment to follow.
In lieu of sending flowers, please consider donating to the American Cancer Society.
What’s your fondest memory of Bonnie ( Belle )?
What’s a lesson you learned from Bonnie ( Belle )?
Share a story where Bonnie ( Belle )'s kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Bonnie ( Belle ) you’ll never forget.
How did Bonnie ( Belle ) make you smile?