The story of Legacy Village at Plantation Manor resident Amy Okerson Bozeman begins on February 20, 1951, in Neptune, New Jersey, but her childhood took shape under the warm southern sun. When Amy was just two, her family moved to Saint Simons Island, Georgia, and a few years later, to Valdosta, where she would finish third grade and spend the rest of her growing-up years.



The youngest child and the only girl in a home with three older brothers, Amy remembers her childhood as wonderful, happy and filled with love. Dinner took place nightly with everyone seated around the table. The laughter was plentiful and the Okerson family genuinely enjoyed each other’s company. Amy admits she was a bit spoiled as the family’s only girl, something her parents delighted in and her brothers accepted with good-natured patience.

Animals played as big a role in Amy’s life as her family did. There was Fluffy, her cherished dog, plus a parade of cats, a rescued horse, ducks and geese who all found their way into her heart and the family’s backyard. Each animal added to the lively, loving atmosphere that defined Amy’s early years.

After high school, Amy set her sights on the University of Arizona, studying Home Economics and Early Childhood Development. She dreamed of opening a nursery school, but when life nudged her in a different direction, she embraced a career in education. That choice turned out to be the perfect path for her. 

Amy spent six years teaching elementary school in Valdosta, guiding children in kindergarten, second, third, fourth and fifth grades. She found real joy in the classroom and loved being a part of her students’ lives. Some of her favorite memories come from the overnight gatherings she hosted for her students—one weekend for the girls, another for the boys. It was a different time, when a teacher could welcome a houseful of children for a weekend of learning, bonding, fun and laughter. Amy still smiles thinking about the time the boys, in a sweet show of affection, presented her with every dandelion from her yard during their stay.

Life brought changes after Amy’s years teaching in Valdosta. She married and moved to Thomasville, Georgia. Though that marriage eventually ended, life brought her a second chance at love with someone she had known since her youth. Amy reconnected with Ronnie Bozeman, a friend she had known since her days in the 4-H Club. They married in 1981, and forty-four years later, their partnership is still going strong.

Family remained at the center of Amy’s world as she and Ronnie raised their two children, Adam and Laura. Summers were a special time—filled with trips to the pool, family vacations, afternoons at the library, summer book clubs, cooking together, and all sorts of countless adventures that created lasting memories. Now, Amy and Ronnie are the proud grandparents of five, and Amy treasures every moment spent with her grandchildren.

Amy’s life is rich with hobbies and simple pleasures. She finds happiness in sewing, cross-stitch, baking, reading and working word-search puzzles. She and Ronnie share a love for travel, from car trips to cruises with their children, including a particularly memorable voyage to Alaska.

Throughout every season of her life, faith has been a steady companion. Amy is a dedicated member of the Presbyterian Church in Thomasville and was active in her church community in Valdosta as well. If she could offer advice to her younger self, she says she would keep it simple: “Go to church more often.”

From a childhood surrounded by the love of family and animals, to her years as a devoted teacher, mother, grandmother and friend, Amy Bozeman’s life is marked by gratitude, strong family ties, and a genuine appreciation for the people and experiences that have enriched her life.