Betty Jo Bennett, age 81, of Neola, passed away peacefully Thursday, March 16, 2017, in McHenry, Maryland, surrounded by her family. Born February 17, 1936, in Cass, she was one of four children of the late William Boyd and Neva Tallman Simmons. She was married for 64 years to Merle Lee Bennett. Betty worked as a waitress for many years in the Detroit, Michigan, area until Merle’s retirement in 1996, when the couple moved back to West Virginia. Her passion was crocheting she gave to family and friends, churches and benefit auctions. She made more than 300 afghans and won several blue ribbons at the State Fair of West Virginia. Betty was dearly loved by everyone who met her. She never met a stranger and was a very caring and giving person to anyone in need. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Merle Lee Bennett; a brother, William “Pete” Simmons; and a sister, Berdine O’Brien. She is survived by her sons, Mark Bennett, and wife, Lori, of Danville, Indiana, Gary Bennett, and wife, Sue, of Romulus, Michigan, and Kevin Bennett, and wife, Mary, of McHenry, Maryland; grandchildren, Katie Cantrell, and husband, Chris, Lt. Kevin Lee Bennett, and wife, Liz, Kristen Bennett, Kole Bennett and Amber Bennett; great-granddaughter, Annabeth Jo; a sister, Barbara Sampson, and husband Thurman, of Baltimore, Maryland; sisters-in-law, Olive Simmons, of Cass, and Wanda Kirk, husband, Dewey, of Covington, Virginia; and many nieces, nephews, family and special friends. Funeral service was held March 23 at Wallace and Wallace Funeral Home in Lewisburg with Pastor Everette Defibaugh officiating. Interment was in Greenbrier Memorial Gardens. Online condolences may be made at www.WallaceandWallaceFH.com
