James Bennett Obituary

BENNETT, SR., James

Entered into eternal rest Tuesday, April 17, 2007, James Frederick Bennett, Sr., 82, husband of Gwendolyn Hunter Hemphill Bennett and widower of Betty Buchanan Bennett. Residence, Hanahan, South Carolina. The relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. James F. Bennett, Sr. are invited to attend the funeral service of the former at First Baptist Church of North Charleston, Friday, April 20, 2007 at two o'clock. Interment will follow in Riverview Memorial Park. Friends may call at J. HENRY STUHR, INC., GREENRIDGE ROAD CHAPEL this Thursday evening from six until eight o'clock. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of North Charleston, 4217 Rivers Avenue, N. Charleston, SC 29406, John Ancrum SPCA, 3861 Leeds Avenue, N. Charleston, SC 29405 or to the Elks National Foundation in care of Tony Lavender, 1113 Sam Rittenburg Blvd., Charleston, SC 29407. Born October 27, 1924, in Charleston, South Carolina, Mr. Bennett was the son of Richard Bowie Bennett and Marie Rumpel Bennett. He graduated from Porter Military Academy and the Citadel. He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving in the European Theater. He worked with the SC Highway Department, was an Engineer for Charleston County and worked with the Corps of Engineers at the Savannah River Project. He was Director of the Charleston County Planning Board and was a manager of the North Charleston Public Service District before going into business for himself, starting Bennett Surveying Co. He was a former Chairman of the Planning Committee for the city of North Charleston. Mr. Bennett was a member of B.P.O. Elks Lodge 242. He served as Chairman of the Investigative Committee, editor of Elks Life and a member of several other committees. He was also a member of the Visually Impaired Veterans of America and an associate member of the Berkeley County Republican Women's Clubs. Mr. Bennett loved sports and coached Dixie Youth Baseball and football. He was an avid sports fan and played golf at every opportunity until 1993 when he was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration. For many years, Mr. Bennett was an active member of Charleston Heights Baptist Church and held many positions of leadership, serving as Sunday School teacher and superintendent. He was an ordained Deacon and served many turns as Chairman of the Deacons. He was a member of First Baptist Church of North Charleston. Survivors include his wife, a son, James F. (Ricky) Bennett, Jr. and his wife, Linda of Goose Creek, a step-son, Jeffrey E. Hemphill and his wife, Trina of North Charleston, three granddaughters, Emily C. Bennett and Tracy L. Bennett of Goose Creek and Victoria C. Hemphill of North Charleston and several nieces and nephews and very special extended family, Dr. Les Walters and his wife Kay of Augusta, Georgia, Ashley Walters of Atlanta, Georgia and Jordan Walters of Augusta, Georgia, and a very special Shih Tsu, Susie . A memorial message may be written to the family by visiting our website, www.jhenrystuhr.com. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths.