Marguerite Ann Cooper Bennett
Marguerite Ann Cooper Bennett passed from this life to her reward on July 7, 2024.
She was born in Sparta, Tn., on Jan. 22, 1937, to W.D. and Mary Ann Cooper. Marguerite attended elementary and high school in Sparta (White County) where she was a cheerleader and began many of her forever friendships. She later attended Middle Tennessee State University and Tennessee Tech. It was at TTU that she met her match in Bill Bennett. They married April 5, 1957, and began the next 61 years of marriage and lives well lived.
Marguerite soon began her best and most rewarding role as mother. She and Bill had three children: LeeAnn, JB and Brad.
Marguerite had some interesting jobs throughout her life once the kids were in school. She was a nutrition counselor with the Chattanooga Health Department, a nutritionist with the University of TN Agriculture Extension Service, a tour guide for 12 years with Carolenda Tours, and finally retiring as a nutrition supervisor with the free and reduced lunch program at the Hamilton County Department of Education. While working in these roles she also had membership in numerous community clubs, PTA’s, Garden Clubs, a Red Cross Volunteer, board member of Mill Run Neighborhood, Scenic City Sweet Adelines and the Chattanooga/Hamilton County Health Department.
Marguerite was an avid reader and bridge player, but her passion was singing. She was in the Sweet Adelines for many years, going to competitions while making lifelong friends. She also spent many hours visiting people who did not have family or friends to visit them. Each summer she took her kids to Heritage Manor Nursing Home to visit and leave behind cookies and laughter. She was a Bible camp counselor at Fall Creek Falls until her last child, Brad, came along. Marguerite was a longtime member of Lake Hills Church of Christ, taught Sunday school for many years, and some of their closest friendships were formed there.
During their later years, Marguerite and Bill enjoyed traveling and her fondest memory was their trip to Australia. Marguerite was supportive of Bill’s passion for local politics and the various offices he held over the years. Her only complaint was that most of the dinners served chicken, which she didn’t eat; this provided much laughter over the years. Although Bill was the office holder, he always referred to her as the “Speaker of the House.”
After she retired, she became a fan of the Lady Vols and Pat Summitt. Marguerite and Bill went to many home games in Knoxville and also attended the 2008 Final Four in Tampa, where the Lady Vols won.
In her final years, she was always singing or humming hymns. Her faith sustained her through poor eyesight, poor hearing and poor health. There was never any complaining about that though, she said it was part of God’s plan and that we would “understand it all by and by.”
Marguerite was preceded in death by her parents, W.D. and Mary Ann Cooper, and her husband, William C. (Bill) Bennett.
Marguerite is survived by her sister, Mary Lee McAllister (Bill) of McDonough, Ga., her children, LeeAnn Roane (Madison) of Tampa, FL, JB Bennett (Karen) of Chattanooga and Brad Bennett (Kathleen Pridgen) and her beautiful grandchildren, Dottie, Thomas and Charles Merritt of Birmingham in addition to many nieces and nephews.
Marguerite’s family is thankful for so many who cared for her and kept her company these last few years after losing Bill, her partner throughout her life. We are grateful for the caregivers at Alexian Village from Independent living, to Assisted living, Memory Care and Health Care. The caregivers at Siskin Rehab hospital were instrumental in getting her back walking after surgery. During her years in assisted living, she was so blessed to have two caregivers from Right At Home, Lynn Tatum-Teem and Rachel Outlaw. They made it possible for her to enjoy as much of those days as she could. Finally, we thank Josh Youngman from Hearth Hospice who helped her and our family during the last heartbreaking days. His compassion and support gave her and her family peace and dignity.
The family will receive friends from 1-2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17. A celebration of Marguerite’s life will follow at 2:30 p.m. on Aug. 17, at the North Chapel of the Chattanooga Funeral Home, 5401 Highway 153. A private interment will follow at Hamilton Memorial Gardens (family only).