Bonita Motley

A Beautiful Journey

Today, we honor and celebrate the life of Bonita Devonia Motley, who passed away peacefully on August 1, 2024 at the beautiful age of 77 in Dayton, Ohio. Bonita, born on March 13, 1947, in Wilmington, Delaware, was the eldest of two children to Mary Lee (Bostic) Motley and Felmon Devoner Motley.

During her teenage years, alongside her family, she stood among the thousands who gathered in Washington, D.C., for the historic 1964 Civil Rights March. It was an era of immense change and hope, a time when the fight for equality and justice was resonating across the nation.

On that significant day, Bonita listened as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech. The power of his words, filled with vision and hope, resonated deeply with her young heart. She witnessed firsthand the courage and determination of a movement that sought to dismantle the barriers of racial injustice and inequality. Her presence at that march was not just a moment of witnessing history but a profound personal experience that shaped her perspective on justice and equality.

Bonita’s educational journey cumulated in Seaford, Delaware, where she graduated from Seaford High School in 1965. She was among the pioneering group of African American students who attended the previously segregated high school. Bonita's schooling took place during a transformative time of desegregation in both the nation and Delaware’s educational system, which presented a range of challenges. Despite these challenges, the bravery and resilience of students such as Bonita played a crucial role in advancing the cause of educational equity and setting a precedent for future generations to come.

Bonita continued her education at a Durham Business College in Durham, North Carolina, which was founded for the purpose of training minorities for business careers. Upon receipt of her Associate’s degree in Business Administration and Management in 1969, she continued her higher education studies at Kentucky State College (currently known as Kentucky State University), a public historically black land-grant university, in Frankfort, Kentucky. Afterwards, Bonita relocated to Washington, D.C. where she worked for the Federal Government in different positions with the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which is where she spent the majority of her federal career with the Forest Service Agency before her retirement. 

In Washington, D.C., she met her future husband, James Towler, Sr., and they fell in love. Their relationship was marked by deep affection and significant moments. However, despite their strong bond, the couple eventually went through a divorce.

Upon her retirement, she embraced a new chapter of exploration and moved to various places including Arlington, Texas and Kansas City, Missouri, before settling permanently in Dayton, Ohio. During her retirement, she rekindled connections with family, including Michael and his wife, Johnnie, who were an important and supportive presence in her later years.

In Dayton, Bonita’s interests included cooking, visiting with loved ones, and researching family history. She had a deep appreciation and love in exploring her ancestry to get a better understanding of her identity, cultural background, and connection with her ancestors. She was proud to have continued her father's legacy of preserving family stories, traditions and values for her family's future generations.

She understood the importance of staying in touch with family and would often attend family gatherings, call regularly to check in and share/send mementos and family pictures to her loved ones, share updates about her life on social media, and actively participate in family events and celebrations.

Bonita’s experiences were more than personal milestones; they were integral to the broader narrative of progress and change. Her journey through the Civil Rights era and her role in desegregation efforts embody the spirit of perseverance and the pursuit of justice. Her life stands as a testament to the enduring impact of those pivotal moments and the ongoing journey towards equality. She is preceded in death by her mother, father, unborn child, and ex-husband. Despite these significant losses, she touched many lives with her kindness and strength. Her memory will continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

Bonita is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Felmonia (Motley) Cain, Calvin Cain; her niece and nephew-in-law, Brandi (Cain) Peters, Maurice Peters, Jr.; her nephew and niece-in-law, Aaron Cain, Shonda Cain; her grandnieces and grandnephews, Aaron Cain, Jr., Zaire Cain, Kai Peters, Makena Cain, Unray Peters, III and Azra Peters; cousins, Michael Motley and his wife Johnnie, Diane Motley Hale, Denise Motley; and friends. 

 The family will receive friends on September 5th, 2024 from 1-2pm at the Newcomer North Chapel, 4104 Needmore Rd., Dayton, Ohio 45424. The service will follow at 2pm.