Bonnie Belinda Applewhite

Bonnie Belinda Applewhite was born June 23, 1987 to Linda Smith-Applewhite and Charles Applewhite, in Brooklyn, New York at Woodhull Hospital at 4:30 pm. Bonnie was Linda Smith-Applewhite first born, Charles Applewhite second born but first daughter. After living in Brooklyn for two years she moved to Queens, New York. She went to First Freedom Church Daycare. At the age of five she was in the Yvette dance class. Bonnie attended P.S. 96, M.S. 226, and Graduated from John Adams High School. While in high school, she played softball, she sang in the choir, and was on the debate team.

After graduating High School, she and her family moved to Georgia. While in Georgia, Bonnie continued her education. She went to Georgia Perimeter College that is now called Georgia State Perimeter College. During her time at Perimeter College, she obtained her Associate Degree in Criminal Justice. She went on to Georgia State University (GSU) for her BS Degree in Criminal Justice. Before Graduating from GSU she to blossom. She became more social. She accepted her parents culture more than ever. She joined CARIBSA (Caribbean Student Association). If you don’t know her culture, you failed to realize the small things when she was around. From the plastic bracelet, from the small little boxing gloves she has still to this day hanging in her car, to the flag she posts in some of her pictures, reggae and soca music and sometimes when she wanted to switch it up she will get the color of her parent’s flag on her nails. Bonnie participated in Carnival with friends and family. Bonnie was always proud to say where her parents come from (Barbados).

Bonnie first job after GSU was at the DeKalb County Juvenile Court where she worked as a Probation Officer for years. While at DeKalb Juvenile Court she was a member of the Juvenile Courts Association of Georgia, and Juvenile Courts Association of Georgia (JCAG) Secretary. Leaving DeKalb Juvenile Court was a bitter sweet for her. She had met an abundance of people, from her supervisor who became like a second mother to her and other co-workers who knew and loved her.

She then moved on to the DeKalb County Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS). While at DFCS, Bonnie could not keep still because it was not in her nature. She worked as a CPS Child Protective Service (CPS) caseworker, Special Investigation Unit (SIU), trainer/mentor, to a CPS Supervisor. Bonnie had two Master’s Degree but some of you all did not know she was still continuing her education. She was working on another Master’s Degree, then next step was her PhD. Bonnie was self-motivated and always strive to learn more and reach higher achievements.

Most people who met Bonnie, knew she was proud person. She had obstacle like most, but she always rose to the occasion with a smile on her face. She never strays away from policy and doing the right thing. Whether if people called her weird, crazy, silly or even old school. Bonnie did not take it as an insult, but as a compliment because that made her different from most. She always knew she was cut from a different cloth. Some people would say “she has OCD and is anal but knows her stuff.” Her door was always ajar for those who needed a helping hand (work related or personal). Bonnie was there with an open ear and heart. She never judged anyone, she always made people laugh (remember what made you laugh). Even though people can describe Bonnie personality in so many ways no one could not say she never went above and beyond for people no matter who you are or what you have done to cause her hurt. She always gave a 100 percent in what she did.

Bonnie always wanted to be loved and appreciated not judged. Like everyone, Bonnie had her ups and her downs. There were days where she need her space (time for herself and her thoughts). She gave back, United Way Shoe Boxes, Hero Walk, March of Dime, Breast Cancer Walk, Homelessness, etc. Bonnie always had a unique sense of humor, but people laughed, which mean they was just as twisted as she was.

Bonnie was like a Golden Rose, rare, and if you understand what Golden Rose meant you truly knew her. She will always be loved no matter what shape or form she is in. She will never be forgotten by those who genuinely knew her and cared for her. Everyone who truly spent time to talk to Bonnie saw and love her as a person, who she really was. Right now, we know she is at peace and with her family, with our heavenly father as of July 2018. Today is not a day to be sad because we know that it is not what she would want but a day to rejoice and be happy. Thank God, he loaned her to us for 31 years to be in our presence. Bonnie, She was golden.

We all know Bonnie like taking pictures but not a lot of people knew she like writing poems.

Bonnie was a younger sister to Ian Applewhaite, an older sister to Connie Applewhite, Danielle Applewhite, Daniel Applewhite, Emily Applewhite, Tyrone Applewhite and Malik Applewhite. She was a granddaughter of John Applewhite (PGFa; paternal grandfather), Eulene Applewhite (PGMo; paternal grandmother), Claudia Boyce (MGMo; maternal grandmother), and Franklin Boyce (MGFa; maternal grandfather). She was not only a daughter and sister, she was a niece, friend, and co-worker and so much more. She was family and always about family whether if it’s her own or not.

BONNIE WAS AMAZING AND WILL ALWAYS BE!