Bonnie Rose Milbourne Leslie was born in Messongo, VA to Bernard “Duke” Milbourne and Gertrude Elizabeth Milbourne on April 5, 1945. Over the next 13 years, she became the ” big sister” to her four siblings.
Bonnie was educated in the Accomack County Public Schools, graduating from Mary N. Smith High School in 1963. She moved to Washington, D.C., where she studied at the Renowned Cortez Peters Business College. She then worked in the D.C. Court System and for National Geographic magazine.
Bonnie was still in Washington in 1968 when violent riots broke out . Her parents were greatly concerned for her safety , and urged her to leave D.C. Eventually, Bonnie moved to Aurora, IL, but after a few years there, she made her way back to her home and family in Makemie Park, VA. It was during this sojourn that she made a full commitment of her life to Jesus christ. As a faithful congregant of her Church in southern Maryland called ” Refuge Temple”, Bonnie caught the eye of a young church minister, Rev. Dorrie Leslie, Jr. As Bonnie and Dorrie prayed, worshipped, and discussed matters of the heart and Spirit, they came to realize that God was calling them as a team to serve Him.
They married on May 19, 1973, and soon moved their residence to Norfolk, VA. There, Bonnie began her long career with the United States Postal Service.
Bonnie had long craved to be a mother and God heard her cry. She and Dorrie were blessed with a son, Devin, in November 1974. Devin was Bonnie’s “eyeballs”, and the focus of her existence. Another blessing came in 2016, when Devin presented his parents with a grandson, Bryson Montana.
A sudden, cruel illness attacked Bonnie in late December, and she departed this life on December 31st, 2022. But she immediately entered into that rich, unending, glory-filled life that makes our lives on earth seem bitter and unfulfilling by comparison.
Daughter, sister, friend, caregiver, mother, grandmother , Aunt— Bonnie, you were all of those things and more. We miss you so much already.
Bonnie was pre-deceased by her loving parents, Bernard ” Duke” Milbourne, and Gertrude Milbourne. Left Behind to await reunion with her are her husband, Dorrie Leslie, Jr.; her son, Dorrie Devin Leslie; her grandson, Bryson M. Ballard; her siblings, Ronald Lee Milbourne, Bernard Bryan Milbourne (Lillie); Maxine Marie Milbourne; and Erwin Glenn Milbourne; a cousin and lifetime friend, Aurella Addison; nephews and nieces Ronald Milbourne, Jr., Marshe’ Milbourne-Jackson, Rebecca Milbourne Johnson, Chris Bishop, Tene’ McAdams, and Keesha Rodgers; and a long list of great nephews, great nieces, cousins and friends.
” But i would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will god bring with him.” –I Thess. 4:13,14
Submitted with sadness but with a mighty hope Dorrie, Devin, bryson, and The whole family
