Stephen Albert Bennett

Stephen Albert “Steve” Bennett, 74, of Rockingham, died Monday, January 4, 2010 at his daughters home. Steve was born August 29, 1935 in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, a son of the late Richard and Doris Black Bennett. He received his Ph.D in Art from Indiana State University and became an Art Professor at Ball University in Muncie, IN. before moving to Richmond County in 1976. Steve worked as a longtime employee of L’Eggs of Rockingham, UCO Mfg, and also taught art appreciation classes at Richmond Community College in Rockingham. His wife, Jayne Helms Bennett, the love of his life, preceded him in death. Steve’s favorite saying was “Love your family and experience life as it happens.” His knowledge ranged from truly artistic endeavors to the mechanical aptitude he learned from the tool & die days with his father. Steve was off-the-wall, witty and life tough. Surviving are his daughters, Stephanie Bennett Kennedy and husband Ron of Cincinnati, OH, Laura Bennett Schwartz and husband Phil of Goshen, IN, Melanie Bennett Dewitt and husband Dale of Ellerbe, Susan Mari Bennett and partner Lisa Burr of Rockingham; grandchildren, Jennipher, Kathleen, and Logan Kennedy, Michael and Alana Schwartz, Savannah and John Dewitt, Bennett Street and Polly O’cean Bennett; and brothers, Jim Bennett of Maryland and John Bennett of Indiana. A service to celebrate Steve’s life will be held at 2:00 PM Friday at Richmond County Memorial Park with Mac Willingham officiating. The family will see friends from 6:00 – 8:00 PM Thursday at the Dewitt home, 3479 N. US 220 Hwy, Ellerbe. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Ellerbe, P.O. Box 116 Ellerbe, NC 28338 or to Serenity Chapel, P.O. Box 517 Rockingham, NC 28380.