Katherine Nelson Riley Bonner

Katherine Nelson Riley Bonner, age 102, of West Columbia, South Carolina passed away on Monday, April 15, 2024. She was born in Columbia, South Carolina on March 22, 1922 and was the daughter of the late Daniel Edward Kinsler Nelson and Alma Player Nelson.

Mrs. Bonner graduated from Dreher High School and attended the University of South Carolina in the School of Business Administration. She continued her education in Organization Management at the University of North Carolina and Advanced Management at the University of Georgia. She served as Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President for eighteen years. During her service with the Chamber, the organization became accredited under her management and moved into a new Chamber building with a membership of more than 300. During this time, she was an active member of the U.S. Chamber, S.C. Chamber, S.C. Chamber of Commerce Executives, and The American Chamber of Commerce.

Mrs. Bonner was a dedicated member of Cayce United Methodist Church and served on the Friendship Sunday School Class, Board of Administration, and the Board of Trustees.

She is survived by her daughters, Jeannie Riley Chewning (Wade Delane) and Renee Riley Gordon (Travis D.); stepsons, Davis Bonner and Reverend Timothy Bonner; four grandchildren: Forrest Chewning (Mary Anna Lafratta), Robyn Hagood (Danny), Ramsi Smith (Troy), and Amanda Cancilla (Mike); six great-grandchildren: Corey Roof, Jake Hagood, Hannah Smith, Mason Smith, Sam Cancilla, and Claire Cancilla; three step-grandchildren: Davis (Beau) Bonner, Mark, and Annie Bonner; and her great-great-grandson, Hudson Wade Hutto.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her first husband, Ralph C. Riley; second husband, Oscar D. Bonner; and her son-in-laws, Wade Delane Chewning and Travis D. Gordon.

A graveside service will be held for Mrs. Bonner at 1:00 PM on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at Kaigler-Davis Cemetery in Gaston, SC.

Active pallbearers will be Forrest Chewning, Danny Hagood, Troy Smith, Mike Cancilla, Ken Johnson, Jake Hagood, and Sam Cancilla.