Dwynelle Bennett Obituary

BENNETT, Dwynelle Dwynelle (Nell) Pritchard Bennett, 74, of St. George, South Carolina, died Sunday, July 17, 2005 at Colleton Medical Center in Walterboro, S.C. Mrs. Bennett, affectionately known to her family as Mimi was born in Warwick, Georgia, the daughter of the late James Albert and Ella Odom Pritchard. She was a graduate of Albany High School in Albany, Georgia. She met and married Everett Wilson Bennett, of St. George, S.C, in 1948, while he was in the US Air Force and was stationed at Turner Air Force Base in her home town of Albany. After her husband's retirement from the Air Force, they moved with their 3 children briefly to Orangeburg S.C., and then to St. George in 1955. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett opened Bennett's Appliance Company in St. George in 1955 and operated this family business together until their retirement in 1997. They built the business on Main Street," to help meet the community's needs. With a push-button cash register, family pictures taped to the walls, and a hand-kept nine book ledger, Miss Nell ran the sales area and was even known to have made deliveries of appliances and repairs herself. She would say that she was blessed to live, work, and rear her family in the St. George area, her beloved adopted home. Citizens of her community feel they were blessed that she became part of their community. She organized and coached the first girls' elementary basketball teams in the early 1960's. For this, she was the only lady named Sportsman of the Year by the St. George Jaycees. Her dramatic talents and abilities were enjoyed by many as she participated in the Lourie Theater productions of Steel Magnolias (as Ouiser Boudreaux), Best Christmas Pageant Ever (as Mrs. Armstrong), and Driving Miss Daisy (as Miss Daisy). She was a popular storyteller at area schools and the library. Two local graduating classes honored her at their commencements for her support, guidance, and love. For 18 years, Nell (also known as Granny Grits ) worked tirelessly on behalf of the World Grits Festival held annually in St. George. She served as Public Spokesperson and Chairman of the Festival Store. She appeared on the Crook and Chase Show, Mike Hiott Show, and was interviewed for the Smithsonian Magazine and the British Broadcasting Company to promote the Grits Festival. For her many years of community service, she was honored by the S.C. House of Representatives with a Resolution sponsored by Rep. David Owens in May, 2002. Also, in 2002, she was named to the Channel Five Hall of Fame by Charleston, S.C. TV station WCSC. She served on the Board of Directors of the Lourie Theater, and was a charter member of the Board of the St. George Area Housing Corporation. She served as Secretary of that Board and was honored by them in June, 2005 for her service, love, and caring of the elderly and loyal service to the people of St. George. She was a member of Memorial Baptist Church where she actively served for many years. She was a member of the choir, Sunday School Teacher, served as Foreign Mission Study Co-Chairman, President of the Appleby Women's Missionary Union, and many committees in the church. Surviving are her husband of 57 years, Everett W. Bennett; and her 3 children: Daughter, Elizabeth (Libby) B. Clarkson and her husband William C. Clarkson, of St. George, S.C. Their children are Elizabeth (Betsy) C. Crick and husband Collin W. Crick, and Robert J. Clarkson II and wife, Keely M. Clarkson all of Columbia, S.C. Daughter, Linda B. Eadon and her husband Sherod Hampton Eadon Jr., of Columbia S.C. Their children are Sherod Hampton Eadon III and Paige B. Eadon of Columbia. Son, E.W. (Eddie) Bennett Jr. and his wife Diana C. Bennett of Walterboro, S.C. Their children are Bethany L. Way and Erin M. Way of Columbia. Also, his children are Melissa B. Lather and husband Shane, of Lady's Island, S.C. and Donna R. Bennett, of Hendersonville, S.C. His grandchildren are Sarah Alice DeLoach and Marley J. Lather. Surviving siblings of Mrs. Bennett are Dr. F. Lamar Pritchard and his wife Mary of Albany, Georgia, Nada P. Nagel of Orlando, Florida, and Mizzelle P. Murphy and her husband Dr. P. Melvyn Murphy of Albany, Georgia. She is also survived by sisters-in-law, Joy Pritchard of Texas and Sonja ( Sunny ) Pritchard of Duluth, Georgia. She was predeceased by brothers, Murray Pritchard and James A. Pritchard, Jr. Miss Nell's gracious manner, Southern charm, infectious smile, positive outlook, family-oriented values, and willingness to give of herself and her time to others have greatly enriched the lives of all who came her way. Visitation will be held at Bryant Funeral Home of St. George, on Tuesday, July 19, 2005, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 20, 2005 at Memorial Baptist Church at 2:00pm. Serving as pallbearers are: Robert J. Clarkson II, Sherod Hampton Eadon III, Collin W. Crick, Bill Utsey, David Banner, Bryan Eadon, Richard A. Fogle, and Harry Collins. Memorials may be made to Memorial Baptist Church, 101 May St. St. George, S.C. 29477 or to the church or charity of one's choice. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths.