Freeman Bennett

Hughes Bennett left his home NW of Puryear, TN surrounded by loved ones and joined his son Kyle Duncan Bennett (1964 -1980) in heaven December 21,2014.

He was born Dec. 2, 1941 in Springville, TN to Jessie and Moline Thorne Bennett.

He was a graduate of Hazel High School class of 1960 and soon after began working at General Tire in Mayfield, KY until he retired in 1997, where he was a proud member of URW Local 655 union. He was a member of Hazel Baptist Church and WOW camp 138. He was a charter member of the Hazel Lions Club and served as president 2005 - 2014.  He was named Lion of the year 2009-2010 and received the Melvin Jones Fellow award for dedicated humanitarian services in 2008.  This award reflected his limitless compassion and love that he gave so generously to everyone.  His eagerness to give of his time and help others included longtime support of the Hazel Woman's Club and extended to the end as he participated in research at Vanderbilt Medical Center that they might gain knowledge to help future AML patients.  He loved traveling, Nascar, motorcycles, MSU basketball, farming and his animals, especially "his girls" Fance'e and Lace'e the pampered poodles.

In addition to his son Kyle he was preceded in death by his father Jessie and brothers, Leroy Bennett and Ronald Allen Bennett.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years Hilda Duncan Bennett, special son Steve (Tammy) Smith of Commerce, GA.   He was "Pappa Hughes" to their children Ithyn, Halley and Madison, Also surviving are his mother Moline Bennett of Hazel, Ky;  brother Paul Bennett and Special Friend Glenda Hill of Murray, Ky;  sisters Ruth(Dave) Belcher of Benton, Ky,  and Brenda (Glen) Maley of S. C.;   Brothers-in-law, Danny Duncan of Ohio and Tommy (Susan) Duncan of California;  and sisters-in-law,  Linda D. Bennett and Nancy D. Moore of Puryear, TN and Anita (Jan) Howell of Dover, TN;  24 nieces and nephews and several great nieces and. nephews including Hailey Bennett and Duncan Bennett, his traveling buddy of Puryear, TN.

Chosen as pallbearers are Halley Smith, Madison Smith, Duncan Bennett, Trevor Bennett, Troy Bennett, Phil Liddle and Gerald Ray.

Visitation will be 4 – 8 pm Monday December 22 at Ridgeway Funeral Home and after 11:00 Tuesday December 23 at Hazel Baptist Church with services to follow at 1:00 at the church.  Kerry Lambert and Tim Cole will officiate.
Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery .

In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made to the Hughes Bennett Shared Smiles Fund c/o Murray Calloway County Hospital Endowments 803 Poplar St. Murray, Ky 42071.

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