Beech Tree News Network

Edith L. Bennett, 81,  of Owensboro, Ky. passed away Friday, April 12, 2013 at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital in Owensboro.  Ms. Bennett was born June 21, 1931 in Livermore, Ky. to the late Dorsey Slade and Isa Taylor Rone Bennett.  She was preceded in death by her parents; a half brother, Dr. Wendell H. Rone, Sr.; grandparents, Rev. James Pendleton Taylor and Mildred Bunch of Rochester; James Samuel Bennett and Berilla Gilstrap of McLean County.  She graduated from Livermore High School, 1949, Valedictorian, Owensboro Business College, Moody Bible Institute, Mid Continent University.  Served as a Secretary and member of Third Baptist Church for 33 years; Member of Owensboro Choral Society "Messiah" for 55 years; member of Capt. William Rowan Chapter NSDAR 55 years; associate member of General Evan Shelby and Green River Chapters NSDAR.  She served in several local and state KSDAR offices.  She was honored as Woman in History of the Year in 2010.  She was clerk of the Daviess McLean Baptist Association for 13 years.  She was an employee of Radio Station WOMI from 1950 until the present.  Her radio programs have won several awards including one from the National Federation of Music Clubs, SAR, DAR, Veterans Org.  She was secretary for Hugh O. Potter, founder of KY. Broadcasters Association for 33 years; Dr. Walter I. Munday, Owensboro District of Methodist Churches, 6 years.  Listed in Who's Who in Religion in America and Women of the South.  Past president of the West Central Kentucky Family Research Association she has co-authored/compiled some 30 books on related families, history of Livermore and Battle of Sacramento "Our Own" was Co-authored with Eldon Eaton and one on slavery in her family in this area with Lenora Lindley "Spiderwebs, a Steamer Trunk and Slavery" and Uncle Tom's life she discovered when in Canada, "Pierced Ears and Broken Hearts."  She and Allyene Gregory were the Owensboro Representatives for Mayor Adkisson at the 200th anniversary in Dresden, Ontario.  She also did work to co-author a work about A. Lincoln with Hugh Potter.  She was a co-founder and vice president of the Old Hebron-Hunt Family reunions near Huntsville from 1957 to present.  She was a lifetime member of the McLean Co. History and Genealogy group, Ky. Historical Society, and a Kentucky Colonel.

She is survived by a niece: Ila Rone Miller of Las Vegas; two nephews: Wendell Rone, Jr. and Lake Quivira of Kansas, Kyle Yates Rone of Houston, TX; two great nieces, six great nephews; 18 great great nieces and nephews; cousins:  Gary and Mary Lisa Tunget, Mike and Vicki Stovall of Owensboro, Ora Turner, Alice Boyken of Livermore, Corinth Stocking of Hartford.

A Memorial Service will be held at Third Baptist Church, Owensboro, on Saturday, April 27 at 4 p.m. with Burial in Old Mill/Bennett Cemetery, No Creek, Ohio Co.  Smith Funeral Home, Morgantown, is in charge of arrangements.  Contributions can be made to Settle Memorial Methodist Missions, 201 East 4th St., Owensboro, KY  42303; McLean County Museum/Research Center, Box 34, Calhoun, KY  42327 and McLean County Public Library, Second St. at Hill, Livermore, KY  42352.
Online Condolences may be made at www.smithfuneralhome1886.com