Mary Sue Bennett

Mary Sue (Owen) Bennett was born on January 28, 1927, in Coleman, Oklahoma, the 11th child of George S. and Eugenia Delilah Owen. She had a happy childhood surrounded by family and friends. Her mother was responsible for not just her moral and spiritual training, but also instilled in her a love for singing, dancing, acting in plays and entertaining. In September, 1943, at the age of 16, she left Oklahoma to live with her older sister, Della, in Chowchilla, CA. The first night there she attended a barn dance with her niece Wilma and met the love of her life, Bill Bennett. They began dating and were married on July 7, 1944 - just after Bill completed basic training in the Navy. While Bill served in the Navy, Sue lived with his parents Ted and Pearl Bennett and worked in a myriad of jobs. Once Bill was discharged they began farming in Dixieland. Jeanette Ann, their first daughter, was born in July 1947. A second daughter, Sandra Ilene, was born two years later and only lived a few months. After that, Bill and Sue moved to Central Oregon to farm and while living there, they had Sally Dawn in January 1953. They returned to California in 1955, and lived in the Five Points and Huron area. Sue began working for Producers Cotton Oil Company in the office. That was the beginning of years of working in an office for several different cotton gins. She dreamed just last month in July that she was promoted to Superintendent and she was so excited! Bill and Sue were committed Christians and active members of their church wherever they lived. Mary Sue had a beautiful voice and used it to sing in church, weddings, funerals, and community plays. She also starred as Anna in "The King and I" for Community Theatre in Coalinga. Sue loved to entertain and have dinner parties for their many friends and family members. They traveled a lot with friends from Coalinga and with her niece Wilma Tashjian & Ed. Among some of the fun trips were the 1986 Expo in Vancouver, Branson, Missouri, Washington DC, and an Alaskan Cruise (a gift from their granddaughter, Sarah). Bill and Sue had lots of wonderful memories! They loved having their grandchildren visit their home in Huron, CA., swimming in the pool and trips to Coalinga and Harris Ranch. They would also take them on camping trips, and staying in their trailer at Morro Bay was a favorite. Sue nursed Bill back to health, through several heart attacks and 2 open heart surgeries, Valley Fever, and Encephalitis. He adored the ground she walked on. Once Bill retired from farming they moved to Chowchilla and began travelling with the purpose of Christian Service. One of their first trips was to Alaska with their two grandsons, JohnMark and Thomas. There they and friends Frank and Betty Rodrian volunteered for five weeks at the Kodiak Baptist Mission. In 2002, they joined Sowers - Servants on Wheels Ever Ready" and traveled to different projects across the country doing a variety of projects. One of their favorites places to go was in Marsing, Idaho at "Hope House", a home for abandoned children. She was a "Grandma" to hundreds of children who loved her so much! In 2005, Sue had a stroke and her loving husband cared for her as they continued to travel and serve across the US in their motor home. When Bill became ill, they alternated staying at their daughter's, Jeanette (Visalia) and Sally's (Oregon) homes, for several years six months at a time until he passed away in Visalia from pulmonary fibrosis. Afterward, Sue stayed with Marc and Jeanette in Visalia until her passing on August 21, 2018. She is survived by her daughter & son-in-law, Jeanette & Marc Barton; daughter & son-in-law Sally & Jeff Beazley of Grand Junction, CO.; Grandchildren Gina & Tony Canales of Visalia; JohnMark & Lauryn Beazley of Kentucky; Sarah & Sameer Al Ansari of Dubai;Tech-Sgt. Mary & Devin Staats-Walker of Montana . Grand-children, Julie Vaughan and Thomas Beazley, have been her angels in heaven since 2002. Great Grandchildren: Jennifer & David Burruss of Nebraska; Kayla & Steven Harrington of Alabama; Anthony & Lynette Canales of Fresno; Hayley Sue & Sgt. Justin Philhart of Washington State; Jessica & Cedrec Sumimoto of Irvine; Andrew & Niki Walker of Hawaii; Nickolas Walker of Fresno; Naomi and Nora Staats-Walker, of Montana, and Aya AlAnsari of Dubai. Great Great Grandchildren: William, Leah; Emily; Ava; Anthony, Jr.; Gianna Sue; Jacob; and Lily. She also has nieces - Geanie Owen Eaton, Kay Owen Sproul, Tedra Owen, and Wilma Lane Tashjian. Her funeral will be at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel in Visalia, she will be transported by Salser & Dillard to the Chowchilla Cemetery where Graveside Services will be held and where she will lay with her sweetheart, William Jewell Bennett. Memorials may be given to a place that was near and dear to Bill and Sue as they served there for many years as SOWERS � Servants on Wheels Ever Ready. Hope House is a children's home for those who are emotionally impaired, developmentally disabled, and from disrupted adoptions or dysfunctional families. Hope House 7696 Old Bruneau Hwy PO Box 550 Marsing, ID 83639

Mary Sue Bennett

January 28, 1927 - August 21, 2018