James “Laverne” Bennett, 73, of Enigma passed away Tuesday, March 27, 2018, at Tift Regional Medical Center. His funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 30, 2018, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals with the Rev. Jackie Connell and the Rev. Ricky Smarr officiating. Mr. Bennett will be laid to rest at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in Alapaha with the Rev. Michael Bennett and the Rev. Garvie Nichols, Jr. officiating. The family will receive friends Thursday, March 29, 2018, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Tyler Boyd, Nic Stinson, Stan Bennett, Thomas Bennett, Chris Bennett and Carl Nichols will serve as pallbearers.
Born February 28, 1945 in Ocilla, Mr. Bennett was the son of the late Rev. Olem Bennett and Audrey Gray Bennett. He was also preceded in death by one brother and sister-in-law, Gary Bennett and Retha Bennett; and three brothers-in-law, James Stinson, Freddy Stinson and Marshall Stinson. He was a retired truck driver and a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Alapaha. He had sung with many gospel groups, most recently, the Happy Times Revival.
Mr. Bennett is survived by his wife, Peggy Stinson Bennett of Enigma; two daughters and sons-in-law, Robin and Ricky Smarr of Cordele and Tracy and Raymond Boyd of West Berrien; one brother and sister-in-law, Ronald and Ruth Bennett of Nashville; one sister and brother-in-law, Waunell and Garvie Nichols, Sr. of Enigma; four grandchildren, Jacob Smarr, Tyler Boyd, Emily Boyd and Erin Boyd; one great-granddaughter, Ava Boyd; five sisters-in-law, Myra Stinson, Sandra Snipes and husband Ken, Trudy Stinson, Tammy Stinson and Shirley Stinson; three brothers-in-law, David Stinson and wife Janice, Paul Stinson and Tony Stinson; and many nieces and nephews.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial gifts may be made to the Happy Times Revival Singing Ministry, 565 Sapps Lake Road, Enigma, GA 31749.