Eddie Bennett Obituary

Eddie Bennett WALTERBORO - Mr. Eddie Lionel Bennett, 91, entered into his eternal rest Saturday morning, July 30, 2011, at his home on Still Street in Walterboro under the care of Hospice Care of South Carolina. During his lifetime, he was truly blessed to have known the love of two people which he dedicated his life and love. Following the death of his first wife, Mrs. Eunice Sexton Bennett and his second born, Barry Bruce Bennett, in 1953 from a tragic automobile accident, he came to find the love of another, Mrs. Ruby Louise Crosby Bennett, whom he wed in August 1959 and remained a faithful and loving companion to for fifty years at her death in June 2010. Funeral services will be conducted 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, August 2, 2011, from The Brice W. Herndon and Sons Funeral Chapel, Walterboro with The Reverend Curtis Pettit officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in Live Oak Cemetery, Jefferies Blvd, Walterboro. Mr. Bennett was March 13, 1920 in Lodge, to the late Eddie Peeples Bennett and the late Edith Copeland Bennett. He was a young man when the government began drafting during war time, and as his story recalls, he was the first person in Colleton County to be drafted for the purpose of military service. He served in the United States Army during World War II under General Omar Nelson Bradley as a Radio Operator and after this deployment he was stationed at Parris Island where he served in that capacity and served as a Radio Operations Trainer. After his time in service, he continued in Parris Island beginning the foundation of his strong work ethic that he passed to others. He began his career with the Federal Government through employment with the United States Marine Corp at Parris Island Marine Corps Recruit Depot as a Fireman with the base fire department, which was effective on Thanksgiving Day 1951. He continued diligently working his job until receiving his eligibility for retirement. He then began another career, this time with what is known today as the South Carolina Department of Transportation where he retired after twenty years in 1983 as a Parts Room Clerk. It was during these years he was employed part-time with Rhodes Oil Company in Walterboro. His last of professions, which to him was not a profession but just a hobby he enjoyed and evolved into a reputation that many will always recall when he began with small engine mechanic work in a small simple garage at his home. As a child, he was reared in Carter's Ford Baptist Church in Lodge, before he joined Bedon Baptist Church, where he was active wherever his service was needed and was also a former Sunday School Teacher and heavily active with the Royal Ambassadors (RA) group. During the latter years of his life before failing health hindered his attendance, he joined and was active in the work of Bethel Baptist Church. He was a master mason, having been a member of Hope Lodge, No. 122 - Ancient Free Masons in Lodge. He believed in the work of the American Red Cross, and religiously donated each time a blood drive was within the bounds of our city - having given the maximum amount of blood that any one person is allowed. Many fond memories are easily recalled about the smile, demeanor, and person that Eddie Lionel was, most notably will be the fond love and the glimmer of his eye with the mention of his late wife, Ruby -with whom he had the greatest devotion and true example of love one could set for others. Surviving are: two sons, Christian Edward Bennett of Travelers Rest and Paul Erwin Bennett and his wife Jan of Walterboro; a daughter, Gloria Beth Bennett Bridge and her husband John, Sr. of Walterboro; a brother, Harry W. Bennett of Hampton and Phoebe Hiott of Walterboro. There are eight grandchildren, Phillip, Adam, and Barry Bennett, Michelle Bennett, Kayla Bennett, John Bridge, Jr., Joanna Bridge, and Tiffany Sullivan; as well as six great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son born in his first marriage, Frederick Lionel Bennett - 2009, as well as a grandchild, Allie Marique Bennett - 1991. For those that so desire, memorial messages and thoughts of condolence as well as memories of Mr. Bennett may be shared with the family thought the online registry at www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com. Family and friends are invited to attend his visitation period this Monday evening from 6 o'clock until 8 o'clock at THE BRICE W. HERNDON FUNERAL HOMES, WALTERBORO CHAPEL, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, 843.538.5408. Visit our guestbook at www.postandcourier.com/ deaths