Published: June 25, 2009 04:34 pm      

The Reverend Robert Bennett, Jr.

The Celebration of Life for The Reverend Robert Bennett, Jr., 83, of Orange, will be Monday at 11:00 A.M. at the St. James Missionary Baptist Church. Rev . Ronnie A.E. Crockett, pastor of the Mount Olive Baptist Church will officiate. Rites of Christian Interment will follow in the Gethsemane South Mausoleum of Magnolia Memorial Gardens Cemetery under the direction of Sparrow Funeral Home.

He died June 23, 2009 at his residence.

A native of Clayton, LA, he resided in Orange 62 years.

Completing his high school education at Emma H. Wallace High School of Orange, he went on to study at Texas Southern University and Lamar College-Orange. He earned his Associate of Divinity Degree in 1976.

A U.S. Navy veteran, he served in World War II and was Discharged with Honors.

He was employed by the E.I. DuPont Sabine River Works Plant for 35 years, retiring in 1986.

The Reverend Bennett served as the pastor of St. James Missionary Baptist Church for 32 years. His pastoral retirement was in October of 2008.

He is survived by his wife Stella Bennett of Orange, six daughters Catherine E. Cline of St. Charles, MO, Barbara C. Hinson, Delores Eddings, and Ellen R. McClelland, all of Orange, Beverley J. Minard of Port Arthur, TX, Cherrie A. McGlory of Houston, TX, 13 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren.