Bonita Steen

Bonita Steen, age 63, a native Mobilian, exchanged life for eternity on August 10, 2022, at 12:21 PM in the arms of her loving and devoted sister. She attended Mobile County public schools and was a graduate of Murphy High School, class of '77. After high school graduation she attended Southwest State Technical College and received a diploma as a Licensed Practical Nurse which began her nursing career at Doctors' Hospital. She eventually transitioned to Springhill Memorial Hospital Intensive Care Unit as one of the first LPNs in the department. It was there that she recognized nursing as what she described as her “calling.” She continued her nursing education by attending S.D. Bishop State Junior College to receive an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and began her professional nursing career as a Registered Nurse. Her desire for continuous education led to her pursuit and completion of both Bachelor's and Master’s degrees from the University of Mobile. She subsequently attended the University of South Alabama and received a post Master’s degree and certification as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. Bonita was eventually led to seek and obtain employment with the Department of Veterans Affairs, initially as an RN and later as a certified Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. Bonita was a stellar nurse and excellent clinician as defined by her clinical skills, education, and work ethic, and was frequently sought out to share her expertise. She was also known for her ability to provide comprehensive holistic care to all her clients with empathy and respect. Her expertise afforded her the ability to work in numerous areas to include ICU, Med-Surg, Behavioral Health, ER, Primary Care Clinic, and Home-Based Primary Care. She was also tasked to begin the first Home Telehealth Program for VA Gulf Coast Healthcare System, which has now expanded to provide virtual care from several disciplines to veterans in the home. In addition, Bonita was always willing to educate and mentor students and peers to advance the profession she described as her calling. Bonita was known to be dedicated to God, her family, and nursing. She was always fun, feisty, and was known to wear stilettos at every opportunity, which unknown to many, served a two-fold purpose of fashion and self-defense. She was quick to come to the aid of others which also led to her past service as a union steward at the VA. Bonita was an advocate, a caretaker, and a continuous giver who never hesitated to share what she had with those in need and retired from the VA after over 25 years of service. She was predeceased by her parents, Reverend Boisy J. and Lillian McQueen Steen; brother, Charles Edward Steen, Sr., and grandson, Kyndel Lee Young She is survived by two sons, Kendel (Dantoria) Parker and Tevin Parker; numerous grandchildren, Kaiden Flowers, Taleah Parker, Jaelee Davis, Jordan Parker, Ashton Parker, Santini Thomas, Sanjuan Thomas, and Santoria Stokes; one great-grandson, Jonah Thomas; one sister, Alfreada Steen Harris; several nieces, Nicole (Raymond) Edwards, Taylor Steen-Kaplan, and Madison Steen; nephews, Kendrel (Kristian) Harris, Brandon Harris, Charles (Vonda) Steen, Jr. Joshua (Melanie) Foley, and Jacob Steen; great-nieces and nephews, Kendra Harris, Nicholas Harris, Nikori Harris, Brayden Sauer, Kayla, Patrick and Aiden Steen, Samantha Poore, Joshua Ty Foley, and D'Angelo, Bryson, and Sophia Foley; devoted friends, Sheila Shepard, Yolanda Young, Raymond Johnson, Larry King, Tasha Mitchell, and Ayanna Burns; several cousins, numerous neighbors, and friends. Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 20, 2022 from 11 AM-12 PM at Serenity Funeral Home, followed by service at 12 PM, officiated by Minister LeTony Holcombe. Interment will be held in Serenity Memorial Gardens.

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Bonita Steen

June 12, 1959 - August 10, 2022