Sign Guestbook at chicagotribune.com/obituaries Dillard, Anna B.

was born on December 3, 1938, in Chicago, Illinois and was the middle of the eleven children of Abner and Alleane Williams. Anna, known as Bonita to family and friends, accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and savior at an early age and attended Woodlawn A.M.E Church. Her early education included McCosh Elementary School and she graduated from Englewood High School. An activity she found rewarding after high school was being a camp counselor, where she found a passion to mentor and teach children.

Bonita married Roy Dillard and the two celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary on May 7th. The couple’s first home was in Markham, Illinois and in 1968 they moved to Park Forest, Illinois and raised their two children Marla and Roderick. Bonita received a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Social Services Planning and a Master of Arts in Political Studies. She found her purpose in the educational field and dedicated her professional career to the students in Chicago Heights School District #170; initially as the librarian at Lincoln Elementary

School, and later as teacher at Lincoln, Greenbriar and Kennedy Elementary Schools. Bonita positively impacted thousands of students and found teaching to be rewarding. Her students loved her. Bonita was very involved in the community, as well as her children’s activities. She was a member of Faith United Protestant Church in Park Forest, where she was a member of the choir and bell choir. In addition, she was a Brownie Leader, Cub Scout Den Mother, Field Trip Chaperone, Sunday School Teacher, Homemakers Club Member, Fellowship for Action, Gavin Foundation Women’s Auxiliary Member, Toastmasters of America, President of The Kiwanis Club, and countless others. Anyone who knew Bonita, will tell you she was ALWAYS active. One of the accomplishments she was especially

proud of was being appointed as a Village Trustee for Park Forest 1999 and being re-elected in 2003,

2006 and 2009. Bonita LOVED Park Forest. She bragged about it, volunteered for it, was active in it, and stood up for it.

Bonita was an avid gardener even growing food for her family in her back yard. Always health conscious she adopted a nutrition-based lifestyle long before it was popular. Bonita traveled to almost in the America, including Alaska and Hawaii. Her travels also took her to Japan, Spain, Mexico, Canada, and Bahamas. Bonita always stayed active and fit by doing aqua aerobics, walking, cardio drumming, Bonita departed this life on Saturday May 28, 2022. She leaves to cherish her memory her husband Roy Reed Dillard, her children Marla Kay Dillard-Lemons (Curtis), Roderick Dillard, Sister Jean Hester, brothers Ernest Williams (Sandra), Gerald Williams, Ronald Williams (Pamela) and Julius Williams (Yvonne), two grandchildren Evan Lemons and Ethan Lemons, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Anna Bonita Dillard