"A time to be born ..." And so it was on September 6, 1913, when a daughter, Eddie Mae Leggett was born to loving parents Lawrence and Lucy Leggett in Marlboro County, S.C.
"A time to plant ..." With her brothers, sister and friends, she walked to school for her elementary education and completed the 10th grade in high school at the O'Neal School in Pinehurst.
Mother Eddie Mae Bennett was the longest living member at the Green Pond Church of God in Christ, having joined the church in 1928 when it was then known as Tabernacle Church of God. Her mother, Mother Lucy Leggett, the General Church Mother at Green Pond, went to be with the Lord in 1968. Upon her death, her daughter Eddie Mae Bennett was appointed by the late Bishop J.H. Sherman to succeed her as General Church Mother. She served well, spearheading various programs with inspiration and vision. She loved her church and served as Senior Choir President for many years. She encouraged others to assist in the custodial care of the church and worked fervently with other ladies of the church in food preparation for revivals, plate sales and "feeding the preacher".
She loved to sing and pray, and before her surgeries, danced for the Lord. She believed in giving God praise, clapping her hands and beating her tambourine. She believed that "everything that hath breath should praise the Lord". Some of her favorite songs were "Use Me Lord, In Thy Service, Draw Me Nearer Everyday", "I'll Let Nothing Separate Me From His Love", "In the Word of God, I've Got a Hiding Place", "Drop Your Net By the Shore to Return There No More", "Praise the Lord Everybody", and "Get Up From Sitting Down, God Can't Use You Sitting Down".
Mother Bennett loved to cook at home and at church. She was employed by the Scotland County School System as the Cafeteria Manager at Pate-Gardner Elementary School in Gibson for over 30 years. Throughout her lifetime, she remained saintly, saved, and an example of Christian character. It was her lifestyle.
Mother Bennett was a great historian for the Green Pond Church and was instrumental in the renovation of the church cemetery. She wanted it to be clean and well-maintained. According to her, she wanted it to "look like a cemetery." She was an inspiration and motherly example to many with many "children" in her church, community, and across the country. She answered to many names, "Mother, Grandma, Granny, Grandma Eddie Mae, Lucy, Miss Eddie, Miss Eddie Mae, Mrs. Bennett, Sis", and a special name of affection, "Merl", by her brother, Cleveland.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Lucy Leggett; her brothers, William, John, and Fred; her sister, Tiny; and two sons, Elbert Lee McKenzie and Lawrence McKenzie.
In 1931 she married Mr. Hosanna McKenzie. Their union was blessed with three sons: Willie, Elbert Lee, and Lawrence. He died in 1947 leaving her with their three sons to raise.
In 1953, she met and married Mr. Purdie Robert Bennett, becoming another mother for his two sons, Purcell Bennett and James Monroe Bennett, deceased. Her husband's prayers for another child were answered and they were blessed with a daughter, Esther M. Bennett.
"A time to die ..." On Good Friday, April 2, 2010 at 5:04 p.m., she quietly and peacefully slept away.
Her family and many friends celebrate her victorious life and are blessed with memories forever. She leaves to cherish her legacy her sons, Willie McKenzie and her devoted daughter-in-law Sarah of Birmingham, Ala.; her daughter-in-law Genova and granddaughter Carolyn of Washington, D.C.; son Purcell Bennett and wife Doris of Paterson, N.J.; her daughter, Esther Bennett Taylor of the home; her brother, Cleveland Leggett and wife Arlene of Washington, D.C.; a brother-in-law, Mr. James Tyler Bennett and wife Elilian of Lilesville; 16 grandchildren, including Denise, Wanda, Clarice, Sharon, Leslie, Brian, Kevin, and Kiana, of whom she helped raise and rear; a gift, Chineta, whom she named "Skeeter"; 21 great-grandchildren; seven great great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and her special loving children of the Luedell Smith family from Birmingham, Ala. She was a mother and grandmother to many, many people.
Mother Bennett was blessed to receive assistance in care from the Healthkeeperz Home Health Agency in Laurinburg and had a very special and devoted daughter-like CNA, Janet Davis, of whom she loved dearly.
Her beloved pet of almost 13 years, "Twister", followed her in death on Saturday, April 3, 2010. Her great-grand doggie, "Nikki", misses both of them.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 8 at 1 p.m. at Green Pond Church of God in Christ in Gibson. Officiating will be Superintendent George Davis, Jr.
Purcell Funeral Home is serving the family.
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