Mrs. Helen Yvonne Bennett

February 11, 1938 - December 19, 2021

Helen Yvonne Hanks Rodriguez Bennett Yvonne Bennett, turned from her work with a smile, left her earthly body behind and joyfully went home to see God on December 19, 2021, at the age of 83. She is preceded in death by her father, John Toliver Hanks, and mother, Madge Mae Hanks, her brother, Tully Rudolph Hanks, and her husband, Stephen R. Bennett Sr. She leaves behind three children: Cendriah Avon Maloney and husband, Dan, Stephen R. Bennett Jr. and wife, Tamera, Richard Lee Bennett, and wife, Ann. Three Grandchildren: Ryan Maloney and wife, Lisa, Grant Maloney and wife, Amanda, and Brent Bennett. Five Great Grandchildren: Luke, Ellie, Cullen, Davin, and Keira Maloney. Yvonne gave a home to four children who she loved as her own: Gladys Patterson, Lisa Waddill, and her children Ashlynn and Dylan, and Joe and David Gray. Yvonne’s favorite things to do were going to church or bible class, reading the Bible, teaching, or talking to anyone about the Bible. She always said she wished she could have been a preacher. She liked hosting family gatherings, singing, running her real estate business, managing the family farm, and playing spider solitaire while listening to gospel singing or TV shows like Maybury RFD on her Alexa. Yvonne was known for throwing great parties with plenty of food, and entertaining or housing guest at her home which she named “The Fountains.” She often quoted Hebrews 13:2. “Be not afraid to entertain strangers for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Yvonne would see a need then create a ministry to fill that need. Such as, “Love Lunches” to supplement Meals on Wheels on Saturday and Sunday when they didn’t deliver. Her latest ministry was, “Bible verse of the day”, where she had a growing list of people she called every morning with a scripture. She didn’t know about the one person who put her on speaker at work where a small crowd would gather and listen intently to be uplifted and encouraged by her reading of the Word. Yvonne might not approve of your behavior but would love you anyway. She loved to mother all things, people, plants, animals, and she wanted herself, and everyone to continue to grow every day and be better. She was optimistic, generous, fair, witty, and confident in what she believed. She had a few sayings that still ring in the ears of those with whom she shared. She always said… “You can do anything you set your mind to if you are willing to work for it.” “Can’t never did do anything.” “We’ve all been waiting on you just like one pig waits on another.” “Anything worth doing is worth doing right.” “I’d rather be an hour early than a minute late.” Yvonne’s conversation was entertaining and thought provoking, sprinkled with scripture, sayings and poetry carefully woven together in a memorable way. She was a unique woman and had a way of standing out from the crowd. Her husband Steve said he first noticed her at a Church youth event when she stood up on a table and threw a strike, hitting the youth minister squarely in the face with a cream pie she had made especially for the occasion. During the ensuing food fight Steve commented to a friend, “That girl’s got-a-lot-a’ spunk!” Yvonne lived her life according to the Word of God in the best way she could and would advise young women to do their best as she did to pattern themselves by this passage of scripture from Proverbs. Proverbs 31: 10-31 [a]A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. 11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. 13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. 15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. 16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. 18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. 19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. 20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. 22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. 25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. 26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. The story of Yvonne’s life until she was married is best told in her autobiography titled, “I REMEMBER AS OF AUGUST – DECEMBER 2020 HELEN YVONNE HANKS RODRIGUEZ BENNETT” Link to Yvonne’s Autobiography: Yvonne Bennett Memoir https://www.dropbox.com/s/5lwu749v2dzsu5z/Helen%20Yvonne%20Bennett%27s%20Memoirs.pdf?dl=0 “On Thursday, December 30, 2021 at 10:00 am, a Live Stream of Helens' Celebration of Life will be viewable here: https://video.ibm.com/channel/23847896/video/3i8pcg]”