Marjorie Bennett
Marjorie Joyce Bennett passed away peacefully at her home on November 11, 2019, surrounded by family who were praying and singing hymns.
Marjorie was born April 2, 1938, in St. Andrews, Jamaica, to Daniel Lawson Smith and Juliet Mae Ellwood. She was the fourth of thirteen children. She met and married Keith George Bennett on April 21, 1956. This union produced four beautiful children. Marjorie was a student teacher, then changed her career path to nursing. She completed her nursing training in England, November 1965, as a registered nurse before migrating to the United States in June 1968. Her family of six landed in The Bronx, New York, where she stayed until the death of her husband, Keith, in 2012. She received a B.S. degree in Behavioral Sciences from Mercy College in New York in 1980. She worked and retired from Jacobi hospital in 1997 as a neonatal intensive care nurse. In addition to working, Marjorie found joy through many activities. Some of her many hobbies included gardening, beating everyone in scrabble, reading, walking, traveling, and her favorite, needlepoint. Marjorie is the definition of a loving Christian woman. She loved the Lord and was a baptized member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Everton Park Church in Jamaica and later in the United States. Her home church while living in New York, and until her death, was the South Bronx SDA church. In 2012, Marjorie made the move to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where she lived with her daughter and family. Even though the move separated her from her support system in New York, the distance did not deter or faze her lifelong friends who remained connected to her. Their love and support of her continue to be felt by her family. Marjorie and her husband Keith were blessed by God with a 56-year marriage. They renewed their marriage vows on their 50th golden anniversary in 2006. Marjorie was a devoted, loving wife who deeply cared for, and cherished her family. Even as Marjorie got weaker, she always put forth such a great effort to be in fellowship and communion with her family. Our mother was a quiet yet observant woman who loved us unconditionally. Even in her quietness, she spoke volumes. Simply put, she was genuinely kind and always saw the best in you. We have each learned valuable lessons from her regarding trust, love, confidentiality, and above all, reliance upon God.
She is survived by her four children, Evon (Joyce) Bennett, Keith (Mamie) Bennett, Jr, Keitha Hatcher, and Judith (Cleveland) Hobdy. Her seven grandchildren, Carress (Curtis) Wilson, Rachelle (Nicholas) Frazier, Randolph Bennett, Alexandria Bennett, Chanesse Hobdy, Jaron (Patricia) Hobdy, Caresse Hobdy, and 4 great-grandchildren. As well as her 12 brothers and sisters, Byron (Iris) Smith, Monica Gaskin, Kathleen Baker, Bernice (Ernest) Spence, Donald (Mary) Smith, Lucille Morgan, Terrance (Janet) Smith, Morris (Patricia) Smith, Florence (Norman) Duke, Dorrett (Samuel) Douglas, Karl (Denise) Smith, Marcia (Bryan) Reid, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. Her love and light will continue to shine through her family and wonderful friends.
Public viewing will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at Victory SDA Church, 1271 Burke Ave., Bronx, New York 10469, followed immediately by a funeral service at 10 a.m. at the church.
Interment will be at Rose Hills Memorial Park, Putnam Valley, New York.
Arrangements are by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Avenue, Chattanooga, Tennessee, 37404, 423-622-9995.