The family of Bonnie Lanier Rushing has asked the Statesboro-Bulloch County community to show their support and solidarity during the trial for her murder by wearing certain colors each day.
Their schedule is as follows:
- Tuesday, January 31: Black
- Wednesday, February 1: Tan
- Thursday, February 2: Navy
- Friday, February 3: Red
- Monday, February 6: Burgundy
- Tuesday, February 7: Light Blue
- Wednesday, February 8: White
Bonnie was shot and killed in her home in October of 2020. She lived in the Stilson-Leefield community on the eastern side of the county.
Her parents loved Bulloch County more than anyone could imagine. Bonnie and her sister, Pat Lanier Jones, former Election Supervisor for Bulloch County, grew up with parents who set the bar high when it came to serving others and our community. In fact, one of Bonnie’s last posts on social media was the lookout from the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Department about an armed and dangerous fugitive on the loose near her home.
News of her death traveled fast, and the entire community was in shock. Facebook was quickly filled with posts from friends and family sharing stories of service, giving, and love, as only Bonnie knew how to give.
One close friend, former Bulloch County Board of Education member April Newkirk, described the tight knit Stilson-Leefield community poetically at the time.
Here are her words:
“I live in a place where neighbors are friends and friends are neighbors. A place where people check in on each other. A place where doors are never locked and there’s always sweet tea in the fridge. Where friends bring a bottle of wine and pineapple sandwiches on white bread with the crusts cut off. Where front porches still have rocking chairs and the conversations can go on for hours. Last night our circle of heaven on earth was crushed by evil. Bonnie Lanier Rushing was one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. She was kind and giving. She was a light. She was one of those people that made you want to be a better person. She loved God and man; she loved her family. The last time I saw her we spent the afternoon talking about our boys and the fears and joys of motherhood. She was so proud of her boys and loved them so much. She loved deeply and she wasn’t afraid to share that love.”
