Mrs. Naomi Virginia Wilson Bonds' Obituary
Naomi Virginia Wilson Bonds was born on November 28, 1931 in Meridian, MS, to Rev. David D. Wilson, Sr. and Minnie Louise Nash Wilson. Mrs. Bonds was educated in the Meridian Public Schools, graduating from T. J. Harris High School with honors. Her college career began at Tuskegee Institute where she sang in the choir under the direction of the renowned William L. Dawson. She later transferred to Jackson State University where she received a B. S. degree in Language Arts. She also received a Master of Education degree with Library Science concentration from Mississippi State University. Her lifelong ambition to become a teacher and work with young people began in 1951 in the Lauderdale County School System where she taught English and Home Economics at Tripplette Junior High School. In 1959, Mrs. Bonds was selected to be the librarian of the newly established Middleton Attendance Center where she organized the library and served as librarian for ten years. When Middleton Attendance Center became Northeast Elementary School, Mrs. Bonds continued to serve as librarian until 1988. During her entire career in education, she encountered many changes and challenges, which she met with vigor and determination. To her amazement and surprise, the library in which she served for so many years was named, THE NAOMI V. BONDS LIBRARY, in her honor at her retirement reception. A member of St. James A.M.E. Church for over fifty years, she served as President of the Senior Choir, Intermediate Sunday School Class teacher and Secretary of the Mattie B. Thomas Missionary Society. An active member of Delta Nu Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Mrs. Bonds served as Tamias, Second Anti-Basileus, and chairperson of the committee that organized and launched the first Outstanding Minority Youth Program under the leadership of Mrs. Jenifer Buford as Basileus. Mrs. Bonds was also a proud member of the Meridian Chapter of the Jackson State Alumni Association. Survivors include her loving husband, Smiley Bonds; two daught~rs: Brenda (El Jewell Sr.) Lorthridge and Carolyn (Marion) Sylvester, all of Indianapolis, Indiana; two brothers McLendon Wilson of Houston, TX and Oscar (Ruth) Wilson of Meridian, MS; five grandchildren: Marquesa (Ryan) Smith, Michael (La Janneice) Sylvester, Clinton (Kari) Sylvester, El Jewell Lorthridge Jr. and Kasey Sylvester; six great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and extended family members.
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