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Dorothy Mae Bonner and Byron Christopher Berry, Sr. Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund

Established 2004

Dorothy Mae Bonner
Dorothy Mae Bonner

The Dorothy Mae Bonner Memorial Scholarship Fund was created to honor the life of Dorothy Mae “Mother” Bonner.  This fund became an endowment in 2012 and was renamed to also honor the life of Byron Christopher Berry, Sr. in 2022.

Mrs. Bonner (1921-2004) was born in Alexandria, Louisiana.  She was a graduate of Wendell Phillips High School in Chicago where she was a member of the National Honor Society.

In 1942, she married Bishop William Bonner who was the pastor of the Greater Mount Olive Church of God In Christ in Aurora.  As the First Lady of her church and of the Sixth Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Illinois, Mrs. Bonner influenced the lives of others through her gift of an understanding heart.

According to friends, Mrs. Bonner was known as Mother Bonner for her skills as a master caregiver to those with whom she came into contact.  She assumed a quiet profile in life, preferring to encourage the success of others.

Her many acts of kindness will now be publicly recognized through the awarding of scholarships that carry her name.

Mrs. Bonner was survived by her three children Enyess Allen, Willie Etta Wright and Dorothy Jones.  She was preceded in death by her son Charles. Her husband Bishop Bonner passed away in 2016.

Dr. Byron Christopher Berry, Sr.

Elder Byron Christopher Berry wore many hats. He was a loving father of three, a dedicated son, an adoring grandson, and a friend to many.

He was ordained as an Elder and also awarded the title of Praise and Worship Leader.

He shared his love of music by serving as a Praise and Worship leader for not only his church but other churches as well.

He loved music and became the Minister of Music for the Greater Mount Olive Church of God in Christ in Aurora, Illinois where his grandfather, Bishop William Haven Bonner, was the pastor.

He was ordained as an Elder in the Church of God in Christ by his grandfather, Bishop William Haven Bonner.

He captivated audiences with his thought- provoking sermons.

He travelled far and wide to inspire and motivate others to strive for excellence.

He not only devoted his time to church activities but also spent nearly twenty years as talented and popular hair stylist.

Although he worked in several hair salons he would make house calls to style hair for the homebound.

Later in life he furthered his education by achieving a doctoral degree in Biblical Studies.

Dr. Byron Berry like his grandmother, Mother Dorothy Mae Bonner, spread love through his generosity, culinary talents, sense of humor, and attentiveness to those in need.

His infectious, captivating, and unforgettable laugh was a source of joy and comfort to others. His kind demeanor made you feel like you mattered.

Education is important to us. We support causes that touch our lives and align with our values. We believe in paying it forward. We are here for a short time,, and it is the next generation that will take on what we leave behind.

Michelle Emanuel

Donor and Past Scholarship Recipient

I am incredibly grateful for the generosity of the Zari Foundation Scholarship and the Community Foundation in supporting my education. I am majoring in mechanical engineering with a concentration in aerospace engineering at the Rose-Hulman Institue of Technology. In my spare time, I volunteer on campus, in the community and I’m also the principal violist in the symphony orchestra. I hope to make an impact on the next chapter of space exploration by eventually working at a groundbreaking aerospace company such as SpaceX or NASA.

Taytum Newell

Albert M. Zari Scholarship Recipient

Being a part of the Community Foundation scholarship committee is the highlight of my year. For many, a scholarship from the CFFRV is the reason they are able to continue reaching for their dreams and changing the future of our world. I hope each recipients knows just how inspirational they are to those of us who are lucky enough to read their stories.

Jessica Breugelmans

Scholarship Committee Member and Board Member

YEP was a great experience to have in high school. I became a more confident person, someone with a lot more perspective. Coming from a small school, YEP allowed me to branch out into my community, meet students from other schools, and learn about their backgrounds. I made some great friends and still keep in touch with them today.

Abby Vagnoni

YEP Alumni

Give your gift of time and see what it means to the people you impact. Helping others is what life is all about.

Neal Ormond

Donor & Fund Advisor

YEP has made me realize the importance of being involved in my community, and how to make a difference. There are a lot of problems in the world but if we can do everything that we can to help the world will become a better place. YEP has helped me realize this and encouraged me to help more people in the future.

Madi Porter

YEP Member

Grant funds from the Community Foundation helped provide updated technology. These upgrades were transformative. By creating new time saving processes, it turned us into a more efficient organization.

Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry

Grantee

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

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