Bonita L. Murphy, "Bonnie", 79, passed away on June 21, 2023 surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Covington, Kentucky on April 10,1944 to Oscar and Mary Jane Smith. After she graduated from high school in Erlanger, Kentucky, she attended Eastern Kentucky University and graduated with a teaching degree. She began her teaching career in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1966 she married Jack M. Murphy in Cincinnati, Ohio and they had three (3) children: Gregory, Jennifer and Jason. In 1988 the family relocated to Lakeland, Florida. She continued her teaching career with the Polk County School System until her retirement in 2011.

After her retirement, she continued to teach and spent her time as a volunteer tutor. She also enjoyed spending time with her family, travelling, gardening, going to the beach and was an avid quilter making beautiful quilts for her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 32 years, Jack M. Murphy as well as her parents, Oscar and Mary Jane Smith, and her brother, George Smith.

She is survived by her three (3) children: Gregory (Kym), Jennifer (Patrick) and Jason (Amanda); her sisters, Patricia and Gayle as well as her loving grandchildren, nieces and nephews and lifelong friends.

Bonnie was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and loved by many. Bonnie will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Services will be held on Saturday, July 8, 2023 with a Visitation from 10:00 am to 11:00 am followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 11:00 am at the Erlanger Christian Church, 27 Graves Avenue, Erlanger, Kentucky.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Literacy for Haiti, an organization Bonnie felt strongly about as well as the Erlanger Christian Church Youth Group.