Mrs. Bonnie Kay Smith

Bonnie Kay Peretti Smith, age 72, of Salisbury passed away Friday, August 28 after being in declining health, her angel came to take her home with her loving daughters by her side. Bonnie was born April 24, 1943 in Rowan County the daughter of the late Margaret Weant Lowman and Everette W. Lowman A ’61 graduate of Boyden High School Bonnie was a waitress at Open Kitchen, Winks, and Grants in the 1960”s and as a cashier at the original Food Town before starting her career as a professional photographer. She worked for the Salisbury Post in the early 1970’s and won many awards and Best of Show at the State, Local and National level. She won First Place in the North Carolina Professional Photography Association and her photo was exhibited in the Traveling Loan Collection that toured that United States for 2 years. She had a passion for her photography as well as her photo restoration of vintage portraits. Bonnie was one of the founding members of the Humane Society of Rowan County in 1973. In 1975 she received training for animal cruelty investigation with the Humane Society of the United States in Washington, DC. She was the lead cruelty investigator in Rowan County for over twenty years. She taught classes in Animal Cruelty investigation and photography to Law Enforcement, Animal Control and Humane Societies throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. She served the Humane Society of Rowan County as President, Vice-President, Secretary, Board Member and advisor for cruelty cases. She was instrumental in starting the Humane Society pet food bank which continues now for more than 30 years. She enjoyed painting and wallpapering and restoring old houses including Boxwood Lodge, Paul Bernhardt Plantation and the uptown Humane Society Office. Her religious beliefs were to be good, kind and loving to every living creature. God is using you for his special purpose to Shine his light, To Share his love, To Shape his people. Those left to cherish her memories are her son Timothy B. Smith of Woodleaf; daughter Christina Smith Clifton (Jeff) of Woodleaf; foster daughter Marchella Wyrick Cerda (Ed) of Woodleaf; brother Tom Lowman (Evelyn) of Salisbury; grandchildren Jerissa, Drew and Jonny Clifton and Brandon Smith; great-grandson Peyton Smith; niece and nephew Jennifer and Aaron Myers and Matt and Amie Lowman. A Celebration of Life Service at 6:00 PM Wednesday, September 2, at Bonnie’s residence. Graveside Service: 3:00PM Friday, September 4, at Rowan Memorial Park conducted by Rev. Brenda Newman. The family will be meeting and going in procession by carriage from Summersett Funeral Home at 2:00 PM Friday. The family would like to thank Kellye Reed, Angie Harrison and Kayla Redmon for their loving care of Bonnie. Memorials: 7 Fold Peace Foundation, 2678 Pinehurst Dr., Grapeine, TX 76051 or Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House, 1229 Statesville Blvd., Salisbury, NC 28144, or to Humane Society of Rowan County, 112 W. Innes St., Salisbury, NC 28144.

Mrs. Bonnie Kay Smith

April 24, 1943 - August 28, 2015