Rebecca Ellen Bennett

Rebecca Ellen (Bannister) Bennett, daughter of the Late James Bannister Sr., and the Late Hattie Elizabeth Johnson Bannister, was born on August 24, 1941, in Pinewood, SC. The Bannister family was quite large, by today’s standards, and Rebecca was one of fifteen children born to James and Hattie Bannister. As a young girl, Rebecca confessed to Christ and attended New Hope AME Church with her family in Pinewood, SC. She received her formal education in the Clarendon County Public School System but was also educated in life on the family farm, milking cows, feeding chickens, picking cotton, breaking corn, picking peaches, and picking beans, peas and greens. It was at the age of seventeen, that a mutual friend introduced Rebecca to a young man by the name of John Henry Bennett, Jr., and their love blossomed. On a weekend visit to escort Rebecca and her sisters went to the county fair, John Henry was told by Rebecca’s father that it was too late for the girls to go, and he would have to come back some other time. Instead of leaving his disappointed girlfriend, John Henry opted to ask for Rebecca’s hand in marriage. Rebecca and John Henry were united in holy matrimony that same weekend, on November 1, 1958. Immediately after the wedding ceremony, they departed Pinewood, SC, and relocated to Buffalo, NY, to begin a life together that lasted over 58 years. Rebecca held numerous jobs over the years from domestic work, working as a dishwasher in a restaurant, and working in housekeeping at a hospital. Prior to her retirement in 1987, Rebecca was employed as an assembly worker for General Motors Incorporated, Chevrolet - Buffalo Axel Plant. In her post retirement years, Rebecca enjoyed traveling with her husband and children back and forth to Pinewood, SC, to family reunions in Newark, NJ, and Chicago, IL, and short trips around New York State. She loved going on Caribbean cruises with her dear friends over the years, and also visiting her children and grandchildren in North Carolina, Maryland and Texas. On Friday, October 11, 2024, Rebecca Ellen Bennett received her wings and went on to glory to be reunited with the love of her life. Rebecca was preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband, John Henry; her parents, James and Hattie Bannister; and her loving siblings: Harriet (Henry) King, Ruth (Robert) Witherspoon, Huel (Estelle) Bannister, Charlie (Leah) Bannister, Hester (Willie) Covington, John Bannister, James (Blanche) Bannister Jr, Rosa Mae (Pinckney) James, Solomon (Alberta) Bannister, Moses Bannister, Martha Bannister Brown, and Hattie Bannister Winston. Rebecca leaves to cherish her love and memories, three daughters, Sarah M. Odens of Whiteville, NC, Barbara J. Bennett of Buffalo, NY, and Ernestine Bennett Howard of Charlotte, NC; one son-in-law, Dannie R. Howard of Charlotte, NC, one sister and brother, Queen Winslow, and Roosevelt Bannister of Pinewood SC; five sisters-in-law, Loretta Bennett, Carrie Bennett, Sarah Torrence, Dorothy Bannister, and Beatrice Smith-Bannister; one Godchild, Kristin Brunson; ten grandchildren, Scott Jones, Lawrence (Ashante) Jones, Damarr (Markeita) Bennett, Marlon Sanford, Mark Jones, Aja Parrott, Terrence Wright, Christa Wright, Alana Howard and Xavier Howard; thirteen great-grandchildren, eight great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and dear friends.

Rebecca Ellen Bennett

August 24, 1941 - October 11, 2024