Tonnye studied art and architecture at the University of Texas and studied painting with noted Taos artist Frederic Taubes. She applied her talents for the benefit of family, friends, and community; almost everyone who knew her owns at least one of her paintings. She also designed floats and costumes for local parades, decorated homes and halls for parties and dances, illustrated scrapbooks for the Beta Sigma Phi, and illustrated the covers for several of her husband's history books.

For years Tonnye held an open house at Christmas, inviting the entire community via a notice in the newspaper. Hundreds of people came to see Tonnye's decorations, especially her picture-perfect Christmas trees trimmed with handmade ornaments she crafted from florist's foil and old costume jewelry.

Tonnye began her teaching career at Provident School in 1940, teaching grades 1 through 5. She bought her first car, a Model A, to make the long back-country drive to school, picking up students along the way. She also taught at Boethel School and in Elgin while her husband was overseas during the war. Later she taught private painting classes in Hallettsville.

Throughout her life Tonnye was active in civic affaires. She served as president of the Hallettsville Reading Club, Garden Club, Ladies Golf Association, PTA, and United Methodist Women. She taught Sunday School and played the organ for the First United Methodist Church.

From its founding, she was sponsor of the local chapter of Beta Sigma Phi. While living in Elgin during World War II, she served as a USO volunteer for troops stationed at Camp Swift, and was active in Elgin's New Century Club.

Tonnye loved golf, playing until her third knee replacement slowed her down at age 84. She also loved to play bridge and bingo. When she was nearly 80 she discovered Las Vegas; she managed to make "one last trip" to Vegas any number of times.

Friendships were a vital part of Tonnye's life. She was the last surviving member of the "Four of a Kind", a group of former Elginites who stayed in close contact for more that 60 years. She shared morning coffee and the latest news with a coffee klatch that grew from four or five Hallettsville matrons to nearly 30. She belonged to the Monday and Wednesday bridge clubs; she and her bingo buddies always arrived early to socialize (and grab the best table).

Born to Buck and Mosye Christian in Manor, Texas, on October 29, 1910, Tonnye grew up in Elgin, where her father was a rancher and cotton dealer. As a high school senior she met the new typing and bookkeeping teacher, Paul Boethel. Their elopement shortly after her graduation in 1928 made front-page news in the Austin paper. After several years of moving around Texas, Tonnye and Paul settled in Hallettsville, where they lived the rest of their lives. They were married for 68 years before his death in 1996.

Tonnye was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, sister Gladys ("Babe") Brown, nephew Buck Brown, and an infant daughter Evelyn Ann. She is survived by her son Carey "Buck" Boethel and wife Ruth of Austin, her daughter Martha Boethel of Austin, five grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. In the last years of her life she was wonderfully cared for and loved by her "adopted" family at the Williamsburg House in Hallettsville. Her doctor, Harvey Renger Jr. ("Little" Harvey to Tonnye) also played an invaluable role in sustaining her vitality, independence, and spirit until the very end.

Service: 10 am, Saturday, June 2, 2007 at First United Methodist Church in Hallettsville. Visitation: Noon, Friday at Kubena Funeral Home. Burial: Hallettsville City Cemetery. Officiate: Rev. Lundy Hooten. Pallbearers: Carey Paul Boethel, Greg Bobrek, Trevor Scott, Gene Renger, Sam Allen, Paul David Cook. Honorary pallbearers: James Blanton Boethel, Burton Miller, Harvey Renger Jr., Bob Gindler,, Marvin Peterson. Memorials: First United Methodist Church or French Simpson Memorial Library of Hallettsville.