CASTLE HAYNE — Mary Linda Clark Bennett, 88, of Castle Hayne, North Carolina, passed peacefully at home Wednesday August 5 after a long Alzheimer’s journey.
A native of Orangeburg, South Carolina, Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Ethan Allen Clark and Jenny Hiers Clark, and her husband of 48 years, George Daniel Bennett, Jr.
She is survived by her daughter, Susannah Marie Bennett (Kathy Cox), of Castle Hayne, her beloved partner in later life, David Pierce, of Castle Hayne, her grandchildren Erin Elder (Jonathan), of Brooklyn, New York, Meghan Handschuh (Derek), of Dallas, Georgia, great grandchildren Rosemary Elder and Beau Elder, her step-sister Jeanie Alexander (David Johnson) of Maryville, Tennessee, and many cherished Clark cousins.
Linda might one day have graduated from the University of South Carolina, had she not met George Bennett on her very first day of college in 1956. She left college two years later to marry him. They became a military family as George served 22 years in the Army with great honor, including the 82nd Airborne and two tours in Vietnam. They enjoyed living in many parts of the United States, notably Colorado Springs, Colorado, where they adopted Susannah; and Honolulu, Hawaii, where they were stationed after the Vietnam War. When George retired from the Army they returned to his hometown of Warsaw, North Carolina in 1972 and had a family home there until 2015.
Linda devoted herself to George, Susannah, Linda’s many friends, and all the stray pets she saved through the years. She got immense joy from seeing Susannah arrive home with a group of friends – no group was too large! She loved cooking for everyone, making the best sweet tea, macaroni pie, and fried chicken, and baking brownies and boiling peanuts for the friends always sitting around the kitchen table. She treasured her Bridge Club ladies – frequently bringing home “the purse.” She was active in the Garden Club and no one – not one person – was faster on the adding machine than Linda when she worked her part time bookkeeping jobs! Linda’s wit and sassy sayings (Linda-isms) are legendary and will continue to bring a smile to our faces, if the “Lord willin’ and creek don’t rise.”
Linda was blessed to find love again after George’s death, making a new and fulfilling life with David Pierce by her side – after Linda winked at him on Match.com! They enjoyed many years together in Warsaw, Holden Beach and Castle Hayne, with David providing loving care and special family dinners through every step of her final journey.
There will be a celebration of Linda’s life at Susannah’s and Kathy’s home, 310 Camber Drive, Castle Hayne, at 3pm on Saturday August 15.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Linda’s name to the Lower Cape Fear LifeCare of Wilmington. The family extends a sincere thank you to Linda’s many dedicated caregivers at Griswold and Lower Cape Fear LifeCare.
