The Shadow
Mrs. Mary Baker “Tootsie” Bennett, age 80, of 206 Watahala Lane, Rich Patch, died Monday, April 26, 2010, at her residence. She was the wife of Harry Jackson Bennett.
Mrs. Bennett was born March 18, 1930 in Alleghany County, the daughter of the late William Bruffy Baker and Audrey Bostic Baker.
A member of this community her entire life, she was employed for many years as a rural mail carrier for the United States Postal Service.
Mrs. Bennett was a member of Rich Patch Union Church where she served her church as Treasurer and was a member of the Women of the Church.
She enjoyed singing in the choir as a child at Granbery Memorial United Methodist Church and later in adulthood, the Rich Patch Union Church.
Mrs. Bennett was a leader of the Roaring Run 4-H Club, the Home Demonstration Society, the Alleghany Historical Society, attended the Sarah Rice Pryor Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and was a former member of the Alleghany County School Board.
She was a graduate of Covington High School, Class of 1947.
In addition to her beloved husband of sixty-two years, Harry Jackson Bennett, Mrs. Bennett is survived by two sons, Stephen Allen “Steve” Bennett and wife, Drema of Rich Patch, Ronald Lynn “Ronnie” Bennett and wife, Rebecca of Rich Patch; two daughters, Deborah Bennett “Debbie” McClung and husband, Earl of Rich Patch, Kimberly “Kim” Bennett Powers and husband, Larry of Lake Norman, NC; twelve grandchildren, David Allen Bennett and wife, Kim of Rich Patch, Amy Bennett Craft of Rich Patch, Robert Joseph McClung and wife, Stephanie of Rich Patch, Lorri McClung Saville and husband, Dale of Rich Patch, Melynda Bennett Sink and husband, Scott of Blacksburg, Ronald Jackson Bennett and wife, Nicole of Rich Patch, May Lynette Bennett and fiancé, Eric Pritt of Gordonsville, Courtney Leigh-Ann Brown of Rich Patch, Bethany Lynn Brown of Rich Patch, Eli Fridley Bennett of Rich Patch, Jackson Bennett Powers of Lake Norman, NC, Matthew McGuire Powers of Lake Norman, NC; ten great grandchildren, Stephen Wayne Bennett, Shannon Emmalee Bennett, Andrew Jason Craft, Faith Kaylyn McClung, Rebecca Hope McClung, Michael Allen Ailstock, Bennett Michael Saville, Joshua Allen Saville, Robert Dale Saville, all of Rich Patch, Mekinsley Elene Sink of Blacksburg; two brothers, Ronald D. “Rink” Baker of Covington, Harold Baker and wife, Ferne of Fallston, MD; sister-in-law, Virginia White Baker of Ocala, FL; and special friend, Lorraine Selleck.
In addition to her parents, William Bruffey Baker and Audrey Bostic Baker, Mrs. Baker was preceded in death by three brothers, William Hershel Baker, Omri Lee “Bo” Baker, James Robert “Bobby” Baker and two sisters, Norene Baker Humphries and Louise Baker Shephard.
A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, April 29, 2010, at Rich Patch Union Church with the Rev. Lynn Wright and Hope Nicely officiating.
Entombment will follow in Alleghany Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be David Bennett, Bobby McClung, Dale Saville, Ron Bennett, Jackson Powers, Stephen Bennett, David Baker, and Bryan Baker.
Alternate pallbearers will be Matthew Powers, Eli Bennett, Danny Baker, Scott Sink, and Eric Pritt.
Honorary pallbearers will be her great grandchildren.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday
evening from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at Loving Funeral Home and suggest memorial tributes take the form of contributions to Rich Patch Union Church, 6600 Rich Patch Road, Covington, VA 24426.
Those wishing to send condolences online, please visit www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com.
