Mrs. Jerusha H. Bonham was born to her father and mother, Marvin Hutchinson Sr. and Mollie Belle Brewster Hutchinson in 1925 in Birmingham, Alabama. She grew up in Evening Star Baptist Church, Birmingham and upon moving to Michigan, she joined Friendship Baptist Church and was a member of Friendship House of Prayer Baptist Church when she transitioned to her heavenly home.

Growing up, she loved to read and learn.  This passion laid the foundation for her extensive educational experiences.  Mrs. Bonham attended Parker High School in Birmingham Alabama the largest black and one of the most respected high schools in Alabama. She attended Alabama A and M College where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree. It was at Alabama A and M where she met and married her husband, the late Vence L. Bonham, Sr. June 1,  1946.  Mrs. Bonham also attended Howard University in Washington, D.C.

In 1952, Mrs. Bonham and her husband received scholarships to attend Michigan State University to pursue graduate work.  There, she received a Master of Arts and a Master's Plus degree in education and social work. Vence and Jerusha enjoyed Michigan and stayed after their course completion becoming Lansing residents.

Jerusha and Vence Bonham refused to believe that things must remain the same because "that was the way it had always been."  As a result, they dedicated their lives to making things better. Upon graduation with their Masters' Degrees, they applied for teaching positions with the Lansing School District.  The message to Sister Bonham was that even though the school district always needed elementary teachers, they had already hired two Black teachers that year, reaching their quota.  The NAACP guided her and helped her secure a teaching position in the school district. This was only the third year that the district had hired Black teachers in Lansing.

When the NAACP filed a law suit in Federal Court to eliminate segregation in the Lansing School District, Sister Bonham testified as to what was said describing the discriminating hiring practice.  She also became the Lansing School District's first black school social worker.

Through the years, Mrs. Bonham has tried and tirelessly worked to promote positive change in any way possible.  This was evident in her tireless work with her church, sorority, and the NAACP.  Sister Bonham is a NAACP Diamond Life Member whose mission remained supporting voter registration, the Freedom Fund Dinner, and ensuring equal rights for everyone.

Sister Bonham was an active member of Friendship Baptist and Friendship House of Prayer Baptist Church serving and working with Vacation Bible School, Women's Mission, Reachout Mission, and food drives.

Sister Bonham was a member of Delta Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. She was a "Pearl" soror and worked tirelessly on committees and teams for many years.

She was also a member of the National Education Association (NEA), the Michigan Education Association (MEA) Retired, and CAREEA - an organization for Lansing Area Retired Personnel. She has also worked with the YWCA Board of Directors, the YWCA Racial Task Force, and the Boy Scouts Urban Advisory Committee for the Okemos Council of Boy Scouts of America, Phi Delta Kappa, the Lansing Sickle Cell Anemia Association, the Lansing Schools Equal Education Opportunity Committee, and the Emergency School Aid Act Committee for Desegregation among many others.

She has been honored for her contribution to the Lansing community by being recognized by the Council of Michigan YWCA – an Outstanding Woman of the Year; Black Business and Professional Women's Association – Outstanding Humanitarian in Education; and by the Okemos Council of Boy Scouts of America, receiving the Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award.

Sister Bonham is thankful for the gift of family God has given her.

To cherish her love and memories and to carry on her legacy of service she leaves family members… daughter Paula Y. Daniels; son Vence L. Bonham Jr. and daughter-in-love Angela; granddaughter Erika Y. Millender and grandson-in-love James, grandsons Vence L. Bonham III and Evan N. Bonham; and great grandsons Andrew P. Littleton and James (Jay) Millender III.  She also leaves to cherish her memory sisters Patricia Fitzaptrick, Veronica Salary, niece, Valeria Kirkland, sisters-in-love Sophieline Champion and Estella Thompson and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

In honor of Jerusha Bonham in lieu of flowers, we ask that you make donations to the Michigan State University Advancement, Charles Drew Endowed Award for Clinical Service and Research of Sickle Cell Disease.

Arrangements for Mrs. Bonham are as follows: