We’ve all heard the phrase, “Oh, they’re such a gem,” to describe a remarkable or special person. To call someone a “gem” means they embody qualities of being exceptional, unique or rare. These individuals make Stone County, Mississippi, a compassionate, charming and distinctive place. We call these influential community members our “Gems of Stone County.”
The latest Stone County Gem, Julie Bond, stands out for her business acumen, deep family ties and commitment to our community. With ties that stretch from Long Beach, Mississippi, to Wiggins, Mississippi, and beyond, Julie’s story is one of resilience, faith and an unwavering dedication to making her home a better place.
Julie was not originally from Stone County. Born in McComb, Mississippi, she moved to Long Beach during her sixth-grade year and later graduated from Long Beach High School. There, she met her husband, Ivan, and the two married shortly after graduation.
“My husband and I got married just two days after graduating high school. We’re still together, so I guess that’s a good sign,” she chuckled “Neither of us went to college, but we’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit and ended up starting our own business.”
Julie’s connection to Stone County deepened when her father, a pastor, moved their family to the area to lead Big Level Baptist Church. The Big Level community, located just seven miles east of Wiggins, became their chosen place to settle down.
“My husband’s family lived in the Big Level community, and we all went to Big Level Baptist Church,” she said. “So, it quickly felt like home, and we’ve been here ever since. We live in the heart of Big Level.”
The couple’s zealous drive led them to become business owners of Design Pavers in 1998. Their unexpected journey into this field was fueled by necessity and faith.
“We had always wanted to start our own business but never did,” Julie explained. “Ivan worked for a company for 14 years before they sold his division, and he lost his job. In the late 90s, we found ourselves unemployed at Christmas, which is as tough as it gets with a young family.”
At that turning point, they took a leap of faith. Through various projects Ivan had completed, he learned a bit about concrete pavers from a friend. So, when an opportunity arose to bid on a project, they seized it.
“We didn’t have any employees, we didn’t have equipment, and we didn’t even have a truck,” she laughed. “We borrowed my daddy’s truck, and the steering was so bad you had to turn the wheel back and forth just to keep it on the road.”
Despite the odds, they won the bid and completed their first job for a contractor working for the City of Gulfport in the late 1990s. From that success, the couple started their business, which specializes in high-end decorative pavers and retaining walls.
Since that initial task, they have successfully completed projects for the Port of Mobile, Port Fourchon in Louisiana, and many other residential and commercial projects across the Gulf Coast.
“We’ve probably installed over two million square feet of pavers throughout the years,” she said. “It wasn’t always easy, but we’ve been very blessed. It’s strange to think about how it all unfolded. If he hadn’t been laid off, we would have been content living off his paycheck.”
Other business ventures followed, with the couple turning Ivan’s grandparents’ house and another lawnmower shed into two Airbnbs and also creating one of Stone County’s most local sensations, Snow Boogers ice cream and shaved ice.
What started as a small operation, Snow Boogers evolved into a beloved gathering spot, boasting nearly 40,000 Facebook followers and drawing visitors from across the region.
“We found the perfect spot in Big Level, and now it’s a community hangout,” she said.
Located across the street from Big Level Grocery Store, Snow Boogers offers more than delicious snowballs. The business has grown to include a playground for children and regular community events, such as movie nights, food trucks and ‘Hang Out on the Level’ weekends during the summer.
“We do a lot for the community and the kids,” Julie said. “People come to the playground even when we’re not open. We have slides, a small track for tricycles, a playhouse and a dirt pile — because kids always need a dirt pile.”
Julie’s family life has not been without tragedy. The couple has two daughters, Crystal and Chelsea. They each have three kids. Chelsea lives in Florida, and Crystal is also about to move there.
Tragedy struck in May 2021 when Crystal’s husband, Kevin Conard, died suddenly while mowing the lawn. He had been the athletic director at Stone County High School. The incident profoundly affected the Stone County community and the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast. In a particularly emotional and unforgettable sports moment, Conard’s son and Julie’s grandson, Gehrig, pitched for Stone County in a playoff game just two days after Kevin’s passing.
“There were thousands of people at that game,” she said. “We were all so emotional; it felt like being in a movie, as if it wasn’t real. Yet, it proved what Stone County is made of. This whole community and beyond showed up to support us. It was a tough time, but also a testament to the love and community spirit we share.”
Gehrig pitched the game of his life, going a full seven innings with 10 strikeouts and allowing just two hits. He also went 3-for-4 at the plate. With that victory, Stone County advanced to the South State finals.
Julie mentioned that numerous people reached out to her grandson, including NFL legend Brett Favre.
“With Brett losing his dad, he understood firsthand what it meant to play through grief,” she said. “It’s just something hard to comprehend, but that game was incredibly inspirational. We were so proud of Gehrig.”
Julie said the story perfectly describes the connection, resiliency and love in Stone County.
“When you shop here, you know the person behind the counter, their family and everything that has happened to them, both good and bad,” she said. “But that’s what makes it special; we’re all connected.”
Today, she proudly serves on the Stone County school board, further cementing her involvement and dedication to the area’s growth and success. Julie is an advocate for local education, celebrating Stone County’s A-rated schools and the development of a new high school and Career & Technology Center.
“We have a new high school, and the new technology center will provide our students with another path to explore after they graduate,” she said. “We’re proud of this school district and the future that awaits our kids.”
As summer approaches, Julie looks forward to more great times at Snow Boogers, welcoming families to enjoy their great snowballs, playground fun and community events. Meanwhile, Design Pavers continues to work on major projects, including efforts in Ocean Springs’ mixed-use development on Washington Avenue.
Through all the highs and lows, Julie and her family have stayed steadfast, community-oriented and deeply connected to their roots in Stone County.
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