Elvie Jane (Watkins) Bennett

Mrs. Elvie Jane Watkins Bennett, 85, of Blackshear, passed away Thursday evening, November 7, 2024, at Hospice Savannah in Savannah, GA.

Born in Bristol, Georgia on July 17, 1939, she lived in Pierce County most of her life.  Mrs. Bennett was a 1956 graduate of Blackshear High School.  She would further her education by graduating from Waycross College with an associate’s degree, followed by receiving her Bachelors, Masters, and Education Specialist degrees.  Mrs. Bennett taught school at Grady Street Elementary School and later Blackshear Elementary School where she would retire after 28 years.  Throught her teaching career, she was awarded the BES Teacher of the Year as well as the Pierce County Teacher of the Year awards for 1998.  In her spare time, Mrs. Bennett enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, reading, and genealogy.  She had been the organist for Kingsland First Baptist Church as well as Emmanuel Baptist Church and had served as the church pianist for Bristol Baptist Church, for which she was currently a member, for several years before her health began to decline.

She was a daughter of the late Oscar Grady Watkins and Minnie Estelle Young Brown.  She was also preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Lane Bennett; her sister, Lois Grizzard; and by her brother, Jack Watkins.  

Survivors include her children, Roger (Sheila) Bennett of Medway, MA, Michael Bennett of Blackshear, and Julie Bennett of Rincon; her grandson, Robert Bennett of Austin, TX; and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Funeral services for Mrs. Bennett will be held Friday afternoon, November 15, 2024, at 3:00 o’clock from the Pearson-Dial Chapel.

The family will be receiving friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.

The family will have a private graveside service at the Blackshear Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to a charity of the givers choosing.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online register at www.pearsondial.com.

Pearson-Dial Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements.

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