None submitted to date
Rev. W.B. Bennett, 71, pioneer Baptist minister, died at his home in Spur early Saturday morning, March 22, following a stroke of paralysis.Rev. Bennett had suffered ill health the past four years; his condition daily growing worse since an attack the latter part of December, and became critical when he suffered another attack about three weeks before death.
Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Wm. Cecil Bennett, son of Rev. and Mrs. W.B. Bennett, and by request of his father, Rev. C.R. Joyner assisted. Services were held in the First Baptist Church at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, March 23. Interment was made in Spur Cemetery with Campbell Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements.
Surviving are: the widow, Mrs. Ella Kellum Bennett; four sons, Wm. Cecil Bennett, Mansfield, La., D.A. Bennett, Glendale, Ariz.; A.G. Bennett, Prescott, Ariz.; and John Harmon Bennett, San Antonio, Texas; one daughter, Mrs. A.T. Bural, Wilson, Oklahoma. Four brothers, C.R. Bennett, Gilpin; J.D. and Ed Bennett, Ada, Oklahoma; and H.H. Bennett, Mt. Blue, Ark. Three sisters, Mrs. M.F. West, Ada, Okla.; Mrs. Anna Grason, Trent, Texas; and Mrs. Cora Bristow, Hamlin, Texas; and twelve grandchildren.
Other out-of-town relatives here were: Mr. and Mrs. Tom Green and Mr. and Mrs. Wilner Grason, Hobbs, N.M.; Mr. and Mrs. Denver Bennett, Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Bennett, Mrs. Forston, and sister, all of Shawnee, Okla.; Mrs. F.C. Fowler, and Mrs. W.C. Hayes of Childress; Lofton and Clyde Bennett, Peopton, N.M.; Margaret, Lucy and Erman Bural, Wilson, Oklahoma.
William Benjamin Bennett was born in Herd County, Georgia, October 7, 1869. At an early age, he moved with his parents to Bell county, Texas, and later to Jones county.,
The Bennett family first came to this section in 1890, and assisted in organizing the county in 1891.
In 1893 Mr. Bennett returned to Jones county, and his parents moved to the Indian Territory now Oklahoma.
He was married to Miss Ella Kellum in Jonesboro, Texas, December 2, 1894. To this union were born eight children, three of whom preceded their father in death.
W.B. Bennett answered the call of the Lord at the age of 21, when he was baptized into the Baptist Church. Thereafter he led a Christian life, and in 1907 began preaching.
Rev. Bennett helped to organize several churches in this section, and among the many which he served as pastor are: Midway, Pansy, Duncan Flat, Girard, Clifford, Lost Lake, Friendship, Pleasant Valley, Soldier Mounds, and Espuela.
Mr. and Mrs. Bennett settled with their family near Girard in 1910, moving to Spur in 1928.
Most of the funeral arrangements were made by Rev. Bennett, prior to his death.
Several years ago Rev. Bennett requested his son, Rev. Wm. Cecil Bennett, to conduct his funeral, the son consenting to do so. Other requests were made from time to time in past years an during his last confinement; these requests being: flower bearers, the song "Farther Along" sung by James B. Reed, Mrs. Dupress, F.W. Jennings, and L.W. Langston; Masons to be in charge and a song by Eurena and Robbie Hoover, who had sung for him many times while he was confined.
Often had Bro. Bennett expressed his love for the people of this section, and had declined to leave here, and his friends, for a more healthful climate.
With the passing of Rev. W.B. Bennett, Dickens county and this section loses one of its earliest pioneers and founder, and a true friend to man.
Paper unknown 1941
Funeral services for Mrs. Amanda Ellen Bennett, long time resident of Dickens County and widow of the late Rev. W.B. Bennett who died March 22, 1941, were held at 4:30 Thursday afternoon at the First Baptist church with her son, Rev. W.C. Bennett, officiating.Mrs. Bennett was born August 16, 1875, in Coryell county, Texas. At the age of nine, she became converted and joined the Baptist church. She was married to W.B. Bennett December 2, 1894. To them were born five children. They moved to Dickens County in 1910.
Survivors are: five children, W.C. Bennett, Carrizo Springs; Mrs. A.T. Bural, Portales, NM; D.A. Bennett, Glendale, AZ; A.G. Bennett, Casa Grande, AZ; and Lt. Herman Bennett, overseas.
One brother, W.C. Kellum, one sister, Mrs. Minnie Young; 12 grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Pallbearers were Leonard Wilson, Penn Shugart, Joe Long, W.M. Hazel and Frank Adams.
Flowerbearers were Earnestine Berry, Alberta and Virginia Dunwoody, Patsy Hyatt, Robbie and Eurena Hoover, Forestine Mecom, Emma Pearl Gruben and Bobbie Morrow. Interment was in the Spur Cemetery with Campbell´s Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements.
©The Texas Spur, November 16, 19445
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