Bonnie Laurel MacKenzie Ridley

Mrs. Bonnie Laurel MacKenzie Ridley, age 64, of Bowman, GA, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at Piedmont Athens Regional Hospital surrounded by her family.

The oldest of three children, Bonnie was born to Phillip Lawrence MacKenzie and Cynthia McGowan MacKenzie in Quincy, MA on September 4, 1959. She was a 1977 graduate of Marshfield High School, a 1979 graduate of Pine Manor College where she earned an associates degree in Liberal Arts, and a 1981 graduate of Fort Hays State University where she earned a Bachelors degree in art therapy.

Bonnie spent most of her working career working as a drug and alcohol counselor and various organizations throughout Boston, MA. She also worked as co-coordinator at Friends of Boston’s Homeless and as Volunteer Program Coordinator at South Shore Women’s Center. Bonnie’s passion was helping others and she took great pride in doing so. After relocating to Elbert County, GA in 1999, Bonnie worked at the Elbert County Extension Office as a 4H assistant. She enjoyed visiting schools weekly and assisting with Horse Quiz Bowl.

Bonnie was very artistic and used her talents to spread joy amongst others. She was a talented painter who enjoyed painting small rocks and hiding them throughout Elberton for others to find. Her drawings were second to none, and she enjoyed quilting and sewing as well. Bonnie loved horses, and was happy when she moved to Georgia and lived on a farm. She was a proud member of Faith Baptist Church in Bowman.

She is preceded in death by her father, Philip Lawrence MacKenzie; and her husband, Richard Frank Ridley.

Surviving are her children: Neal and Allie Andreson of Atlanta, GA, Bethany and Paul Seaberg of Plympton, MA, Cody Manning of Quincy, MA, Dolena MacKenzie Sweeney of Bowman, GA, and Ryan Ridley of Elberton, GA; mother, Cynthia Riley of Marshfield, MA; brothers: Phillip and Lauri MacKenzie of Carver, MA and Bruce MacKenzie and Fran of Lady Island, SC; four grandchildren: MacKenzie, Summer, Brandt, and Paul; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Bonnie’s family invites you to join them in celebrating her life on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at Berry Funeral Home, 1265 Washington Highway, Elberton, GA 30635. Visitation will begin at 1:00p.m. and the service will follow at 2:00p.m.

Flowers are accepted, and contributions may be made in her memory to Celebrate Recovery, 132 Heard Street, Elberton, GA 30635.

Those wishing may sign the online guestbook at www.berryfh.com.

Berry Funeral Home & Crematory of Elberton is respectfully in charge of arrangements for Mrs. Bonnie Laurel MacKenzie Ridley.