Elsie Carol Clapp Bonds

Elsie Carol Clapp Bonds, age 92, of Harrisburg, North Carolina passed away on February 15, 2026. She was born in Guilford County, North Carolina to Grady Clapp and Annie Wagoner Clapp. After graduating from Gibsonville High School, she earned an elementary school teaching degree from East Carolina University in 1956.

Elsie married Bobby Ray Bonds on June 11,1955. They began a life in the ministry of the United Church of Christ. She began teaching in Guilford, Connecticut. From there, she taught in North Carolina and West Virginia, spending 31 years as an educator.

Elsie was active in her school and church communities. In West Virginia, she helped entertain migrant children each fall. When Cambodian refugees came into West Virginia, she was there to welcome them. The Bonds family hosted exchange students from New Zealand and Australia.

Elsie loved to travel, and she visited thirty-seven countries with Bobby, always happy to return home to North Carolina.

Elsie is survived by her husband of 70 years, Bobby Ray Bonds. She was blessed with three surviving children, Jonathan (Marty) Bonds, Alison (Larry Levine) Bonds, and Chrisanna (Martin) Voight and five grandchildren, Margaret Bonds, Virginia Bonds, Jennifer Levine, Alex Voight, and Ellie Voight.

Elsie was one of seven children. She was preceded in death by her siblings Doris Clapp Gilliam, Christine Clapp Fairman, and Bruce Clapp. Surviving siblings include Billie Jean Clapp Fairman, Joan Clapp, and Annie June Clapp Reece.

Trinity United Church of Christ in Concord, North Carolina served as her home church for the past 24 years. She loved the community dinners and breakfasts for the homeless. The Women’s Circle was an important part of her church life.

Elsie was thankful to Dr. Victor Ha for serving as her primary care physician for 24 years. She appreciated the dedication of the BrightStar Care staff over the past four years, especially Gifty and Nikia. She loved the sharing, caring neighbors living in the Courtyards of Harrisburg, North Carolina. Elsie loved baking, eating, and sharing desserts. Let us all hope that in her next adventure she can slice an apple pie or a chocolate cake to enjoy with her friends and family.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Contributions in Elsie’s memory can be made to Habitat for Humanity-Cabarrus County, 8 Church Street S, Suite 101, Concord, NC 28025.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Harrisburg is serving the Bonds family.