DONALD A. BONNER

1935 - 2021

DONALD A. BONNER

ROWLAND — Donald A. Bonner of 804 South Martin Luther King Jr. St., Rowland, died at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.

He was born in Rowland on June 22, 1935, to the late Catherine McGirt and Weldon McQueen. Later, he was adopted by his stepfather, Ernest Bonner. Donald attended Southside High School, graduating in 1951. He furthered his education at North Carolina Central University, where he received both his Bachelor of Science and Master's degrees in Biology. Later, he attended East Carolina University and received an Education Specialist Degree.

Donald began his teaching career in Georgetown County, South Carolina, in 1956. Uncle Sam called in 1958, and Donald went to serve in the military — U.S. Army Medical Corps, specialist 4th class. He returned to teaching in 1960 in Lake View, South Carolina, then returned to North Carolina to teach in 1962 in Rockingham and Maxton. In 1968, he became the first African American to teach at Rowland High School, where he concurrently served as assistant principal. In 1972, he became principal of Southside Middle School, where he remained until 1977 when he was named assistant superintendent of Robeson County schools. He retired as associate superintendent of the Public Schools of Robeson County in 1992, but continued to work in education as project director for the Robeson County Communities in Schools program from 1992-1996.

Donald also believed it necessary to be politically active working local polling sites, then serving as chairman of the Robeson County Democratic Party from 1995-1996 before running for and being elected to the N.C. House of Representatives, where he served districts 87 and 48 from 1997-2004.

A proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Donald carried their precepts of "manly deeds, scholarship, and love for all mankind" throughout his life. Community service awards and recognitions are too numerous to list, but of note are the naming of the Donald A. Bonner Public Library in Rowland in 2007, induction into the N.C. High School Athletic Association's Hall of Fame (first African American president of Association), and being named to the prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine in 2018.

Donald was married to the late Elizabeth Parnell Bonner and was a faithful member of New Hope UMC (formerly Cedar Grove) from childhood, serving it and the Methodist Conference in many capacities.

Donald is survived by children, Muriel Boyd, Vannassa Caston, Glenwood Barbee and Lorre' Bonner; a nephew considered a son, Melvin Covington; a sister, Doris Odom (Pete); nephews, Roosevelt Odom Jr. and Kevin Odom (Debra); niece, Vicki Brown (Michael); five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; five great-nieces; a host of cousins from the McGirt family; as well as many nieces and nephews from the Parnell family.