BONITA SAMMONS HANDY
February 29, 1948 - July 25, 2021

Beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend Bonita Sammons Handy passed peacefully in her home on July 25, 2021at the age of 73.

Bonita was born in Louisville, GA on February 29, 1948, to Juanita Greenway Sammons and Barney Harris Sammons of Wadley, Georgia. She grew up the oldest sibling to Bruce, Ginger and Jan.
Bonita was a "jack of all trades" as she would call herself. She was known by most people as "The cake lady" but before that career she attended the Bowman Business School in Augusta, GA and later went on to be a bookkeeper at Murray Biscuit Company until she married Jerrell Handy in March of 1970. She and Jerrell ("Johnny" as he was known to most people) moved to Wadley, GA where he started a Cabinet shop, and she started an upholstery business in her home. In 1971 Bonita and Johnny welcomed their first child, a son, Jason. Four and a half years later their second child was born, a daughter, Jodi. As the years went by Johnny turned the cabinet business into Handy Construction where Bonita was instrumental in helping this business grow. She also started sharing her love of baking with her children's classmates which led to opening her own bakery in Wadley called Bonita's Sweet Shoppe. In 1995 she and Johnny bought a 120 plus year old home. Together they refurbished this house, and it became known as the Magnolia House. Bonita successfully ran a full-scale cakes and catering and events venue there until 2008 when she had to scale back due to health concerns. Bonita's love of baking was too grand to fully retire, and she continued to make cakes of all kinds until her death.

Bonita is preceded in death by her parents, Barney Sammons & Juanita Sammons, and Her husband of 29 years Jerrell Handy.
She is survived by her son, Jason Handy of Athens, GA. Her Daughter, Jodi (Ron) Gibson of Yulee, FL along with 5 grandchildren which were her pride and joy. Bailey (Megan) Handy, Watkinsville, GA, Brylie Handy, Wadley, GA, Sam, Tyler and Kate Gibson of Yulee, FL. Brother, Bruce (Lynn) Sammons of Martinez, GA, Sisters Ginger (Albert) Hall of Swainsboro, GA, and Jan (Greg) Gaston of Wadley, GA and a many nieces and nephews who lovingly called her Tootsie. As well as her beloved dogs Beau and Bella.

Visitation will take place Tuesday July 27, 2021, at The Wadley United Methodist Church from 6-8pm. Funeral services will be held Graveside at 10 am Wednesday July 28, 2021, at Wadley City Cemetery.