Jessica Hardin Bonds Boelte, 51, died Thursday, December 31, 2020, in Austin, Texas. A private graveside service will be held in Oxford Memorial Cemetery with Rev. Robert Allen and Rev. Barry Sneed officiating. A visitation to celebrate Jessica’s life will be held on Monday, January 11, 2021, from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm in West Hall at Waller Funeral Home.
Jessica was born on April 13, 1969 in Oxford, Mississippi to the late Eddie and Ava Hardin Bonds. She was a 1987 graduate of Oxford High School. Her classmates recall her as inclusive, open, and accepting of everyone. Jessica continued her education at the University of Mississippi where she earned her BA in 1992 and her Masters in 1996. She was a talented dancer and earned a spot performing for the Rebels as an Ole Miss Rebelette. Her family finds comfort remembering her heart of gold that selflessly embraced others and that she lived an unapologetically authentic life. Jessica’s lifelong pursuit to inspire others led her to form a campaign for suicide prevention and to support those battling depression. From her home in New Orleans, she spread the encouraging but simple message of “You Matter”. Her beauty was soul-deep, her laugh was infectious and the impact she had on others was immeasurable. Above all, Jessica was a devoted mother who found her greatest joy in her family, three sons and new granddaughter.
She is survived by her sons, Dr. Charles Edward “Cody” Hill, III and his wife, Hannah of Austin, Texas, John Edwin Boelte, IV of Metairie, Louisiana and Jacob Dean Boelte of Metairie, Louisiana; her sister, Halon Gossett and her husband, Ken of Oxford; her brother, Bubba Bonds and his wife, Natalie of Nashville, Tennessee; a precious granddaughter, Ava Carol Hill of Austin, Texas; three nieces, Hannah Gossett and Mary Kendale Gossett both of Oxford and Grayson Bonds of Nashville, Tennessee and one nephew, Brayden Bonds of Nashville, Tennessee.
Jessica actively supported the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Memorial contributions in her memory may be made via https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/donate/.
