Bonnie N. Love
Bonnie N. Love gained her heavenly wings on Saturday, December 4, 2021, at her home in Charlotte, NC.
Bonnie N. Love gained her heavenly wings on Saturday, December 4, 2021, at her home in Charlotte, NC.
She was a native of Asheville and a daughter of the late Moultrie and Ada House Love.
In 1969, Bonnie was a part of the first integrated class of Asheville High School and the subsequent protests that resulted from the Brown v. Board of Education decision of 1954. During her time in Asheville, she served as Youth Advisor for the NAACP youth chapter, the Million Women March Committee Chair, and Community Health Director of New Hope Community Health Center.
Bonnie Love was a lifelong advocate for the African American community, known for her work not only in promoting awareness in healthcare disparities, but bringing stakeholders together to enact change through work with nonprofit organizations including community and business development, assisting mothers overcoming substance use, and mentoring at risk youth. She was passionate about revitalizing “The Block” and preserving African American culture in downtown Asheville.
Even as a 17-year-old student she was recognized as having an outstanding future; later her work with the New Hope Community Health Center gained her more recognition.
Not only was she a faithful and dedicated mother, Ms Love was also a women’s right activist as well as an artist and a grant writer. Her legacy is that of a visionary who helped birth a culture of care and respect for the Black community in Asheville. Among her notable community accomplishments are the Goombay Committee, Holiday on the Block, Music on the Block, Midnight Basketball, and Shop the Block. As an African American cultural artist, Bonnie enjoyed sewing, doll making, and creating handmade jewelry.
Bonnie Love’s legacy lives on through her husband, Elder Curtis Devette; children, Jonathan Samuel (Jacqueline), Serena Andrews (Kelvin), Marshall Love (Divine); brother, Ralph Love; grandchildren, Jonathan Jr., Jaxson, Shamirrah, Kayhleb, Joshua, and Micah.
The funeral was held Monday, December 13, 2021 in the chapel of Ray Funeral & Cremation Service, with a burial service held at Sunset Cemetery.
