Nell Catherine Bonnell Magness passed away surrounded by her family on May 17, 2026. Born on May 29, 1942, in Dallas, Texas, Nell was the daughter of Gerald Mears Bonnell and Edwina Florence Seale Bonnell. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Larry Magness, and is survived by her sister, Geraldine “Jerry” Bonnell Weir.

Nell married the love of her life, John Larry Magness, on March 3, 1962. Together they shared nearly 54 wonderful years of marriage before John’s passing on March 1, 2016. Their marriage was built on faith, devotion, and love for family.

She is remembered by her daughter, Laura Leigh Magness Copenhaver and husband Rodney Copenhaver; and by her son, Philip Lawrence Magness and wife Kimberly Dawn Massie Magness. Nell was also a cherished grandmother to Kaleigh Marie Copenhaver, Steven Kyle Jones, Ashleigh Nicole Jones Beene and husband Conner Charles Beene, and great-grandmother to Adriel Charles Beene.

Nell graduated from South Oak Cliff High School and continued her education by earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Arlington State College and a Master of Science degree from Texas Wesleyan. She dedicated more than two decades of her life to education as a teacher with Arlington ISD before retiring in 2003. Her passion for teaching and caring for others left a lasting impact on countless students and families.

She was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority and remained active in her community through the Grand Prairie Woman’s Club and the Arlington Woman’s Club. Her faith was an important part of her life. Nell was a longtime member of First Christian Church Arlington and later became a devoted member of Pleasant View Baptist Church.

Nell will be remembered for her kindness, intelligence, unwavering faith, and the deep love she had for her family and friends. Her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched throughout her years as a teacher, mentor, mother, grandmother, and friend.