In Memory of Bonnie Vance
Honoring Legacy: A Dedication Bench for Bonnie Vance
In partnership with the city of Middletown, we were honored to design and fabricate a custom memorial bench dedicated to Bonnie Vance, beloved grandmother of Vice President JD Vance. The bench was unveiled during a heartfelt ceremony at Miami Park on Saturday, where community members and family gathered to celebrate her lasting impact.
A Tribute to “Mamaw” Designed For Bonnie
Bonnie Vance—known lovingly as “Mamaw”—was a cornerstone of her community. She lived nearby on McKinley Street and became known as the “neighborhood mom” for her open door and listening ear. Her daughter, Beverly Vance-Aikins, shared that her mother “would be so humbled” by the bench and the love shown by those she cared for.
The Vance family worked closely with city officials and our team to finalize the bench design. “We all had input and we all collaborated,” said Vance-Aikins. The final design was approved by Beverly, JD and Usha Vance, and other family members—ensuring every detail honored Bonnie’s memory with warmth and meaning.
Memorial Bench Features:
At Smith Steelworks, we strive for the bench to be allow as much personalization as possible. Here are a few of the major dedication bench features for Bonnie’s bench:
Custom Script
The bench features a beautiful cursive script writing out Bonnie’s name. It also showcases her grandmother name “Mamaw”.
Beautiful Messages
Add a special tribute or message to the back of the bench memorial.
Built to Last, Made to Remember
At Smith Steelworks, we believe every memorial bench tells a story. This project was a privilege—an opportunity to help a family and a city honor a woman whose compassion continues to inspire generations.
