Bonnie’s last ride

Published 12:05 am Saturday, September 5, 2015

SALISBURY — Family members of Bonnie Smith rode in a horse-drawn carriage Friday afternoon from Summersett Funeral Home to Rowan Memorial Park. Smith, a local trailblazer in animal protection, died Aug. 28, and the family rode with her cremated remains for one last ride. Smith’s daughter, Christina Smith Clifton, held onto the urn while Sara McCubbins drove the carriage pulled by “Daisy.” A lock of Bonnie’s light-colored hair was woven into the braided black mane of Daisy for the slow trip to the cemetery. Others in the carriage included Bonnie’s son, Tim; a foster daughter, Marchella Cerda; a grandson, Brandon; and a great-grandson, Peyton. Bonnie Smith was a founding member of the Humane Society of Rowan County and a longtime animal cruelty investigator. She also was a well-known local photographer and former employee of the Salisbury Post.