Donald “Don” Lee Bonner | Eastern NC Now

    Mr. Donald "Don" Lee Bonner, age 67, a resident of Aurora, NC died Thursday September 4, 2025, at Carolina East Medical Center in New Bern.

    A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday September 13, 2025, at Edward Christian Church officiated by Pastor David Linton. A burial will follow in Oak Haven Cemetery. Doug Niethammer, Patrick Baker, Carl Bonner, Frank Richards, Brandon Richards, Wyatt Pecher, John Riddle, Wesley Potter, Peter Pratt, Eddie Edwards and Brad Bennett will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Steve Carrow and Jimmie Walker.

    The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday September 12, 2025, at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory.

    Mr. Don was born in Beaufort County on April 30, 1958, son of the late William Russell Bonner, Sr. and the late Dorothy Marie Bennett Bonner. He was a 1976 graduate of Aurora High School and continued his education at Liberty Baptist College where he received two bachelor's degrees. While attending Liberty College he worked in security at Thomas Road Baptist Church. He could count on Pastor Jerry Fallwell to ask him every morning where his paper was. On January 5, 1980, he married the former Jeanne Marie Lewis who preceded him in death on February 25, 2022. After moving back to his native Beaufort County, he worked as a heavy equipment operator in the mine at Potash Corporation in Aurora. Don was a member of Edward Christian Church and was very active in the day-to-day operations at the church. At the time of his wife's death Don stepped up to fill the gap so the business aspect of the church never missed a beat. His hobbies included woodworking, sewing, cooking, and spending time with his family.

    Survivors include his daughters: Marina Kay Bonner Gold and her husband Jordan of Edward, and Sierra Bonner Riddle and her husband John of Greenville; grandchildren: Liam Gold of Edward and Zoe Riddle of Greenville; brother: William "Billy" Russell Bonner, Jr. of Knoxville, TN; and many other family members who loved him.

    In lieu of flowers the family kindly asks for memorial contributions to be made to Edward Christian Church, P.O. Box 67, Edward, NC 27821.

    Online condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com

    Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve Don's family.