Kenneth Bennett, 90, of Blackshear, passed away peacefully Wednesday afternoon, July 31, 2024, at Harborview Pierce County in Blackshear, following an extended illness.
Born January 24, 1934, in Mershon, he was a son of the late James Ehrlich Bennett Sr. and Pearl Manning Bennett. He worked as a young man at Wilbur James Tire and Battery and Wilbur James Wholesale in Waycross and became the owner in 1974 until retirement in 1989. He was also a longtime farmer.
A longtime devoted member of Hacklebarney Baptist Church, he served as a deacon, a former song leader and choir director and was the church treasurer for many years.
He was a former member of the Waycross Lions Club, served on the AgSouth Farm Credit Board of Directors for many years, served as Chairman of the Satilla River Soil and Water Conservation District and was a member of the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Barbara Faye Raulerson Bennett; a great-granddaughter, Camree Bennett; siblings, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, J.E. (Ann) Bennett Jr. , Calvin (Mary) Bennett, Wallace Bennett, Quindolyn “Quinnie” (Dick) Flannery, David Phelon Bennett and Johnie Elizabeth Bennett; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Nolan Lester Raulerson Sr. and Maggie Lee Walker Raulerson and brother-in-law, Nolan Lester “N.L.” Raulerson Jr.
Survivors include his two sons and daughters-in-law, Kenneth Neal and Tammy Bennett, Blackshear and Gregory Nolan and Tina Bennett, Mershon; six grandchildren, Crissy Hardy, Amber (Adam) Hart, Neal Bennett Jr., and Jenna Bennett, all of Blackshear, Thomas (Jessica) Bennett, Franklin, TN, and Ken Bennett, Manhattan, NY; six great-grandchildren, Klyne Hardy, Katelynn Owens, Hinson Hart and Hindree Hart, all of Blackshear, and Jackson Bennett and Georgia Faye Bennett, both of Franklin, TN; sister and brother-in-law, Joanna and James Bridges, Valdosta; brother and sister-in-law, Stanley and Ann Bennett, Blackshear; and sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Linda Bennett, Mershon, Janice and Carthell Dubberly, Waycross, and Pat Raulerson, Patterson; special friends, Jay and Janice Davis and Glynn and Marilyn Chancey, all of Blackshear and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be held from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, at the funeral home.
Graveside funeral service will be held immediately following the visitiation Saturday, Aug. 3, from the Ramah Cemetery with the Rev. Monroe Gill and the Rev. Edmund Thrift officiating.
Serving as pallbearers are Ramsey Bennett, Ashley Bennett, Rodney Bennett, Cary Bennett, Grant Bennett, Jason Bridges, Justin Bridges, Brandon Bennett and Andrew Bennett.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hacklebarney Baptist Church, 6501 Hacklebarney Road, Blackshear, GA 31516.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.hartfh.com.
Hart Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements.
