Nancy Evelyn BENNETT
HAIRSTON.org ID#188, b. 28 March 1939, d. 20 December 2019
| Birth* | Nancy Evelyn BENNETT was born on 28 March 1939 in Philadelphia, Neshoba, Mississippi.1 |
| Marriage* | She married John Peter HAIRSTON Jr., son of John Peter HAIRSTON and Mary Alice HOLLINGSWORTH, on 2 July 1966 in Louisville, Winston, Mississippi.1 |
| Death* | Nancy Evelyn BENNETT died on 20 December 2019 in Mt. Pleasant, Titus, Texas, at age 80. |
| Obituary* | Nancy Bennett Hairston passed away on Dec. 20, 2019, in Mt. Pleasant, Texas at the age of 80. Her parents were William Edgar and Evelyn Boswell Bennett, and she grew up in the small Mississippi town of Louisville. She was born on March 28, 1939, in Philadelphia, MS, much to the chagrin of her Daddy because Philadelphia was a hated sports rival, but the Louisville hospital was being renovated, and there was no choice. As a teenager, she was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis but was able to persevere and thrive with her will power, faith and support from friends and family. She graduated from Louisville High School; attended Mississippi State College for Women (MUW) for two years and graduated from The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) where she was a member of Delta Gamma fraternity. After teaching fourth grade in Meridian, MS, for three years, she worked in the Public Information Office at The University Medical Center in Jackson, MS. In 1966 she married John Peter Hairston, Jr. They made their home in Ackerman, MS, where their children, Holly and Will, were born. While there, Nancy was very involved in the Republican Party and Federated Women’s Club. In 1976 the family moved to Fort Worth, TX., and, in 1980, to MT Pleasant, TX, where Pete continued in the cabinet and door manufacturing business. Nancy was active in Community Concerts; Friends of the Library; Republican Women; Serendipity; Twentieth Century II; and Tennison United Methodist Church. She was a charter member of the Friday Shanghai club. In 1990 she founded The Titus County Literacy Advisory Council in conjunction with NTCC and helped establish the NTCC Downtown Education Center. It was her privilege to help Jeed Castle become an American citizen. She received the Service Above Self award in 1990 from the Rotary Club. She loved her church family and served as Janet Martin Sunday school teacher; confirmation class teacher and Wednesday night Bible study leader; United Methodist Women; Trustees; Staff, Parish Relations and on many other committees. She spearheaded the creation of the Memorial Garden which includes two columbarium. She was an avid fan of the Ole Miss Rebels, Texas Rangers, and the Dallas Cowboys. She enjoyed jazz, politics, red wine, reading and ” words”. Her father loved sports, and her mother loved reading. They passed that passion on to their daughter. She is survived by her husband, Pete, of 53 years, her rock and anchor. Her longtime Dallas surgeon said Nancy was the toughest, most determined patient he ever had, and Pete was the most dedicated caretaker. They were blessed with loving, independent children – Sara Hollingsworth “Holly” Steen and Mark of McKinney, TX and William Bennett “Will” Hairston of Park City, UT; precious grandsons Benjamin and Adam Steen, who she adored. She is also survived by her sister and best friend, Martha Bennett Power of Big Canoe, GA, even though when she was born, Nancy said, “I’d rather have a puppy”. She had cherished sisters and brothers-in-law: Nanette and Bill Williams of Calhoun City, MS; Frances and the late Lamar Hairston of Crawford, MS; Alice and Bill Edwards of Crawford, MS; Watt and Kathy Hairston of Franklin, TN. Also, nieces, nephews and cousins who brought joy into her life. Nancy had longtime friends who were like family and many dear friends made along life’s journey. Her prayer was that she sowed seeds of encouragement along the way and brought a smile to someone’s face leaving a legacy of laughter, literacy and love of life. A Celebration of Life will be held at Tennison Memorial United Methodist Church on January 18 at 2:00 pm, under the direction of Bates-Cooper-Sloan Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, buy someone a book. An online registry is available at batescoopersloanfuneralhome.com. |
Family | John Peter HAIRSTON Jr. b. 22 Oct 1935, d. 16 Jun 2024 |
| Charts | Descendant Chart Descendant Chart Box |
Sources (www.HAIRSTON.org)
- [S3471] Glenn, Justin. The Washingtons, A Family History: Volume 7, Part 1, Generation Eleven of the Presidential Branch: Savas Beatie LLC, CA - 2015, Personal Collection - printed book.
| Last Edited | 3 Nov 2021 |