Mamie Lou Bennett Severin, 99, of Waycross, passed away Monday, January 29, 2024, at her residence, following an extended illness.
Born on January 8, 1925, in Mershon, she was the daughter of the late James Lawton Bennett Sr. and Mamie James Bennett. She was one of eight children born into this loving family. After graduating from Blackshear High School, she hit the road running in pursuit of a career and education. Each job led to a new adventure in a different place, at each new job she pursued more education and on-the-job training and continued moving around the country. After many adventures she not only found the career of her dreams, but also met her Prince Charming in Long Beach, California. She worked for the California VA Medical Center in Cancer Research in the Department of Electron Microscopic Laboratory. She and her husband, Reed, also enjoyed remodeling and flipping houses and condominiums in California. She retired in 1980 and she and her husband began traveling throughout the United States and Europe. They traveled together and many times brought her sisters and their husbands along with them as they traveled the seas on various cruise ships. After living in California for 50 years and making lifetime friendships and memories, Reed decided to bring her home to her grass roots in Georgia to enjoy their final golden years. These last years were spent at Baptist Village in Waycross where they along with eight other couples were the first to enjoy living in the Villas Community overlooking the lake. “Aunt Mamie”, as she became known to those she met both young and old, lived each day to the fullest thanking the Lord for His many blessings and trying to encourage others to do the same. She made special friendships and considered her home and community at Baptist Village “heaven on earth.”
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her four brothers and three sisters: James “Newell” Bennett (O’Letha Raulerson Bennett), James Lawton Bennett Jr. (Ruth Crump Bennett), Hugh Dorsey Bennett (Georgia Griner Bennett), Harold Bennett, DeAlva Bennett Roberts (James “Leon” Roberts Jr.), Adeline Bennett Meeker (Everett Meeker), Melda Bennett VanIderstyne (Richard “Dick” VanIderstyne) as well as several other nephews and nieces.
Survivors include her sister-in-law, Mary Bennett, who was her best friend and neighbor in these last years while living at the village. She also leaves behind her huge family of nephews and nieces and great nephews and great nieces whom she has loved as her own. Also surviving are special caregivers, Sandra and Tony McKelvin, their children Ashanti Gibson, KeeKee Perkins, Tony McKelvin Jr., and their grandchildren, who first became adopted family while taking care of her husband Reed before his passing and then loving and caring for her until her passing.
Visitation will be held from 1-2 p.m. Thursday, February 1, at the Bridge Church in Blackshear.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, from the Bridge Church in Blackshear with the Rev. Chris Roberts officiating.
Interment will be in Ramah Cemetery.
The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the staff and community at Baptist Village for providing her and her husband Reed with a loving and peaceful home during their golden years. Aunt Mamie enjoyed and loved all her years in her villa.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Ramah Cemetery Trust Fund, c/o Kathy Paul, 2396 West Horseshoe, Alma, GA 31510 or Bridge Community Baptist Church, 419 Main Street, Blackshear, GA 31516.
Sympathy may be expressed online at www.milesodumfuneralhome.com.
Miles-Odum Funeral Home of Waycross is in charge of arrangements.
