Edith Bennett

Edith Hancock Bennett, longtime resident and member of the community of Gibsland and Mt. Lebanon, passed away in her home, on May 18, 2023. She was surrounded by the love of her family and in the presence of her daughter Kay, caregiver Gladys, and hospice nurse Rhonda.
A lady of great faith for her  98 years, she passed peacefully into the hands of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Edith was born on December 27, 1924, in Vicksburg, MS. She is preceded in death by her husband, Coy; her mother, Linda Eudell Storey Hancock; her father, Rae Vonnie Hancock; her older brother, Paul Hancock; and her younger brother, Glenn Hancock. She is survived by her younger sister, Linda Rae Hancock Duchesne (Rod); daughter, Kay Bennett McGuire (Jerald); and their children, Jennifer Peak (Derick), Trey McGuire (Kayla), Jodi Beck (Jason), Kelly Burns (Clay), and Kyle McGuire (Jennifer); daughter Anne Bennett McCoy Wilks (Lanny and Jerry); their children, Lyle McCoy (Jennifer), Erin McCoy Kyle, and Asa McCoy (Carol); son Don Bennett (Debi); and their children, Diana Keeling (Derick) and Eric Bennett (Karla); daughter Joy Bennett Cuervo (Herminio); and their children, Maria Cofer (Wade), Pedro Cuervo, and Milagros Cuervo. In addition, she is survived by 21 great grandchildren, and many other loving nieces, nephews, and other family members.

Edith started her career as a home economics and chemistry teacher at Gibsland High School in 1946, where she met her husband, Coy. As they brought up their family, she organized a kindergarten in their home, and later was one of the first teachers in the public-school kindergarten program in Bienville Parish. She taught until her retirement in the mid 80’s.
Edith was active in the community in the Eastern Star and then later the Lions Club, the Homemaker’s Club, the Quilting Club, and several educational sororities. She volunteered regularly at the Mt Lebanon Museum. Her church community was extremely important to her. She was an active member of the UMW, held various offices on the governing board of the Methodist Church, and was an active organizer and participant in the many programs and outreach of the church.

Our family would like to thank her caregivers, Gladys and Pam, her previous caregivers, Evelyn and Ashley, the staff and caregivers of St Joseph Hospice (especially Rhonda and Christina), the staff and caregivers of Willow Ridge, and countless others.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Arcadia, starting at 1:00 p.m. Visitation will start at 12:00 p.m. prior to service. Burial will follow at Harmony Chapel Cemetery in Dubach, LA. Officiating services will be Bro. Orvell Bryant and Bro. Ed Dillworth.