"But one thing I do; forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14

Bonnie Young O'Connor has won a difficult and courageous battle and reached the goal she strained and yearned for. By the grace of God, Bonnie completed her earthly pilgrimage on Sunday, May 29, 2016, and she now beholds her beloved Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, face to face.

Bonnie was born in Chester, South Carolina on May 13, 1951 to Tensye Needham Smith and the late Glenn Wallace Young. After graduating from Chester High School, she attended Winthrop College and the Fashion Institute of America in Atlanta, Georgia and London, England.
Bonnie began her career at Britton's as the Ladies Buyer and Fashion Director. Later, she became a Buyer with Carlisle, which led her into the field of interior design and eventually, she established O'Connor Design Firm. Bonnie's passion was to serve others. She loved beauty and used the gifts God gave her to decorate many lives. Bonnie loved music, playing saxophone in her high school band and using her lovely voice to sing hymns of praise to her Creator. Bonnie, affectionately known as "Aunt Bo", loved children and invested in their lives, teaching Sunday School for many years and offering support and encouragement to countless young people.
On May 20, 1989, Bonnie married the man who had become her best friend, Timothy Joseph O'Connor. They are the parents of a daughter, Elizabeth Brailsford O'Connor, who came into this world and flew straight to Heaven on November 8th,1991.

Bonnie's first and greatest love was Jesus Christ and because of that love, she served others joyfully and sacrificially. In addition to her many friends, she leaves her husband, Joe; her mother and step-father, Tensye and Walter Smith (Jacque); a brother, William Clay Young and his wife, Susie Young and their son, Bridges; as well as three other nephews,
Tyler Young, Beau Young and Josh Funderburk.

In addition to her father and her daughter, Bonnie was preceded in death by a brother, Charles Edger Young.

A family burial service will be held at Elmwood Cemetery, followed by a memorial service at First Presbyterian Church on Friday, June 3rd, at 1 o'clock. Visitation with the family will follow at the church in Jackson Hall. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 1324 Marion Street, Columbia, SC 29201; Community Bible Study, 790 Stout Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80921; and The Joy of Abiding Ministry, 816 Kipling Drive, Columbia, SC 29205. Bonnie has requested that those who wish to honor her memory read the book of Philippians from which her life verse, Philippians 3:14 was taken.

Bonnie's heart is perhaps best seen in the closing paragraph of a letter she wrote to her family and friends. "Relationships with family and friends are most important. Jesus is the best friend and family you will ever have the rest of your life. I pray this letter finds you all waiting on eternal life. We all need to be together in Heaven. Loving Our Lord Completely, Bonnie"