Obituary of Ernie Rufus Bennett

Ernie "Benny" Bennett, was born November 8, 1910 in Windyville, MO., the son of Joe B. Bennett and Alta Jane Wilson Bennett. His mother had a proud Heritage as a Native American (1/2 Cherokee) and Ernie was always cognizant of this heritage, as were his children. Ernie was a faithful member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church for seventy-five years. Ernie married Bessie Braley in 1933, and together they began their family as sustenance farmers and laborers during the great depression. They moved to California during WWII to work in a defense plant building airplanes. After the War, they moved back to Tennessee to farm and work in the lumber industry. Ernie was a great gardener, raising probably 95% of his family's foods. In 1965 they moved back to Pikeville to be near his daughters, building their own house by cutting the trees and milling the lumber and nailing it together as an awesome couple. You can only imagine the changes he saw from the Horse, Buggy, and Wagon age to Astronauts living on a Space Station. Rest in peace until his Heavenly Father sounds the trumpet and he can pass those things made with hands as if carried on the wings of Angels to the City of Gold. Ernie was preceded in death by wife Bessie Braley Bennett; son Neal Bennett. Survivors include twin daughters Shirley Burks and Charlotte Hollabough; son Joe Bennett; twenty grandchildren; thirty-three great-grandchildren; ten great-great-grandchildren. Service will be Friday at 10:00 am CST in the funeral home chapel with Pastors David Wendt and Lee Whitman officiating. Burial will be in McDowell Cemetery. Online condolences can be made at www.reedfamilyfh.com. Arrangements by Putnam-Reed Funeral Home, Hwy 127 South, Pikeville, TN. Visitation Thursday 6-8 pm CST.