Clarence Everett Bennett was a thoughtful, caring, loving husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend. His battle with serious medical issues in recent years and through the pandemic showed his courage in facing life’s challenges. Despite it all, Clarence was still our hero who stayed strong and kept his funny wit until the end, passing away at his residence on Saturday, November 13, 2021.
Clarence or “Pokey” as he was affectionally know to family and friends was born on October 14, 1943, in Morven, North Carolina to the late Jasper and Glennie (Rhodes) Bennett. His childhood in Anson County was full of memories from summer baseball, letting his brothers win their cotton field races, his mother’s cooking especially her yams, and attending the Morven McRae School. After graduating with the class of 1962, Clarence enlisted in the military where he served two years overseas (Germany) in the United States Army infantry and received honors & decorations as a marksman in special weaponry.
Through family friends, Clarence met Anne Louise Roye (Caroline County, VA) and the two were married on June 27, 1970, in Washington, DC. Together they eventually settling down in Fort Washington, Maryland for twenty-five years where they raised their children, Timothy Darnell and Reshe Denise. Clarence worked as a Transportation Officer for D.C. General Hospital and enjoyed traveling about the metropolitan area getting to know the ins and outs of DC, Virginia, and Maryland. He was particularly proud of his EMS certification & training with the District of Columbia Fire Department and his charitable & volunteer work with the hospital’s associations.
Clarence and Anne both retired in the early 2000s and returned to his hometown of Morven, NC in 2004. In retirement, Clarence enjoyed spending time with old friends and continuing his civic and social activities with the Anson Sportsman Club and Morven McRae School Alumni Association. He served as an officer in both organizations and was an avid supporter of the Morven Elementary School (MES) programs including “Trunk or Treat” and annual book fairs.
Clarence was a “family” man and a huge force behind every family gathering and reunion and was loved dearly by all children and his many nieces and nephews who referred to him as “HUC” aka Handsome Uncle Clarence…the Man, the Myth, the Legend. He was fun to be around and full of great jokes and witty comments but most of all he was kind and thoughtful and gave the best advice, direction and leadership to family and friends.
He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of fifty-one years Anne Louise Bennett; son Timothy Bennett of Charlotte, NC; daughter Reshe (Gary) Bennett of Bowie, MD; 5 grandchildren Quiana Bennett (Greensboro, NC), Timeisha Hunt (Colorado) and Bryce Bennett, Railyn Denise and Mia Sabrie of Bowie, MD and 9 great-grandchildren; two brothers Jasper (Marjorie) Bennett, Jr. (Huntsville, TX) and Nelson (Winnie) Bennett of Morven, NC; two sisters Evelent (James) Steele of Upper Marlboro, MD and youngest sibling Synetha (Donnie) Pratt; brother-in-law Robert (Linda) Roye of Manassas, VA; cousin Doris (Elmer) Spaulding of Morven, NC.; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Clarence was preceded in death by his oldest sister Milverda (Wylie) Walker and younger brother Demmie (Gwen) Bennett and two favorite sisters- in-law Rose (Fred) Beverly and Corrine (Joe) Robinson.
The Memorial Service to Celebrate the Life and Legacy of Mr. Bennett will be on Saturday, November 20, 2021, 11:00am, Smith's Memorial Chapel, 604 Salisbury Street, Wadesboro, North Carolina.
Face Mask/Coverings are REQUIRED to be worn at all times.
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