Ruth Evon Heflin

Ruth Evon “Bonnie” Heflin passed peacefully from this life on July 26, 2024 at her home in Woodsboro, Maryland (MD). 

She was born in Frederick, MD on September 26, 1945; daughter of Amon Edgar Esworthy and Ruth Ellen (Long) Esworthy. She grew up on a farm in Walkersville, MD and graduated from Walkersville High School (WHS) in 1963. Bonnie studied early childhood development at Western Maryland College in Westminster, MD prior to becoming a mom and later moving on to what she considered to be her “best job ever” as a grandmother (“Nanny” to her grandkids). 

She loved her family, playing with her grandkids, baking her famous cookies and red velvet cake, flower gardening, traveling, dancing, making a variety of wreaths and seasonal decorations, and she held a strong faith in Jesus. Bonnie will always be remembered fondly for living a life of love for all people, grace, generosity, and her amazing smile! Bonnie worked for Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) as a Teaching Assistant before beginning her career with Frederick County Workforce Services, where she started as an Assistant for Youth Programs in 1977. She worked for Frederick County until she retired in 2002, as the Director of Workforce Development at the Frederick County Job Training Agency. After retirement from her work in public service, she continued serving the community through her work in the office at Calvary Assembly Church in Walkersville, MD, where she was loved by all who knew her, volunteering her time and talents on various hospitality and ministry teams, as a long-time member.  Along with some of her closest lifelong friends, Bonnie was a member of the “Braddock Porch Club” and she volunteered with the Headstart Policy Council, the FCPS Career Tech Board, Family Partnership Board, Heartly House 2000 Campaign Team, and the WHS Alumni Association where she served as board member and Vice President.

 Bonnie is survived by her loving husband of 19 years; Alan Heflin, children; John (Coleen) Trainor, Angela (Bengie) Biggus, Chad (Riann) Heflin, Jennifer (Eamon) O’Shea, Mechele (Sean) Lerczak, grandchildren; Sontia (Kemoy) Hewlett, Lauren (Daniel) Stapler, Morgan (Schadrack) Jean-Francois, Travis (Alexandra) Spangler, Amaris (Tiana) Biggus, Breanna Trainor, Serena Trainor, Caiden O’Shea, Emma Lerczak, Jaxon Heflin, Banan O’Shea, Harper Lerczak, Gavin Lerczak, Rohan O’Shea, Alana O’Shea, great-grandchildren; Kemoy Hewlett Jr, Jacob Stapler, Noah Stapler, Kieran Hewlett, siblings; Amon “Ed” (Peggy) Esworthy, Mary (Denny) Derry, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Visitation will be held from 6pm–8pm on August 9, 2024 at Stauffer Funeral Home (1621 Opossumtown Pike in Frederick, MD) and from 2pm–3pm on August 10, 2024, with a memorial service officiated by Pastor Dahl Drenning beginning at 3pm. 

A Celebration of Life will be held immediately following the service at the New Midway Volunteer Fire Company (12019 Woodsboro Pike in New Midway, MD). 

Memorial donations can be made to the WHS Alumni Association for scholarships dedicated to graduates pursuing careers in early childhood education (P.O. Box 546 Walkersville, MD 21793; please make sure on the memo line to put “HEFLIN Scholarship”), or to the New Midway Volunteer Fire Company (P.O. Box #67 New Midway, MD 21775).