Obituary of Estel Lee Bennett

Estel Lee Bennett, age 98, passed away peacefully on May 27, 2019. Mother Bennett was born September 19, 1920 in Linden, Texas to Robert and Onie Porter. She attended Jefferson High School in Jefferson, Texas. At age 16, she gave her life to Christ and joined Starlight Church of God in Christ in Jefferson, Texas under the direction of Elder W.L. Wright. She was a member of Charity Temple True Holiness Fellowship Ministries; Ashdown, AR. 

In 1942, Mother Bennett married the love of her life, James Bennett III and moved to Texarkana, Texas. After relocating to Texarkana, she joined Sunset Church of God in Christ and remained a faithful member under the direction of Pastor Corey Robinson. In 2007, Mother Bennett’s health began to fail. Consequently, in 2008, upon residing with her daughter Florine, she joined Charity Temple True Holiness Fellowship Ministries where she remained a faithful member under the leadership of Hazel Washington as the Church Mother.

Mother Bennett would regular testify of the “Goodness of Jesus” and how he blesses her. She would always quote: “May the work I’ve done, speak for me.”  In her final months, she would occasionally say “I love you, but I’m ready to go home to be with the Lord.”

Loved ones who preceded her in death were her husband, James; 1 sister Norma Jean Irving;  3  brothers Roy Irving, Warren G. Irving, and Johnny Irving; and son-in-law Arthur Lee Hightower.

                                                            She leaves to Cherish:

1 Son: James (Olyvia) Bennett of Kennedale, TX.

2 Daughters: Essie Louise Hightower of Dallas, TX. Minister Florine Bennett of Texarkana, TX.

2 Brothers: Will (Lynn) Irving of Plano, TX. Bernard Irving of Dallas, TX. 

4 Sisters: Thelma Myles of Hutchins, TX. Gladys Marshall of Grand Prairie, TX. Erma Johnson and Alice Faye Shelton of Dallas, TX.

9 Grandchildren, 20 Great-Grandchildren, and 7 Great-Great Grandchildren.