Dr. Myrtle C. Bennett

GIBSONVILLE - Dr. Myrtle Cooke Bennett, “Willie Myrl” to family, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 26, 2024 at home surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Magnolia, Mississippi on October 12th, 1942 to Annie L. Hackett and Andrew Cook. She was educated in the Pike county school system in Mississippi before beginning her higher education journey in 1964 when she received a Southern Fellowship Fellow to complete summer studies in English Literature at Harvard University.  Dr. Bennett received a four-year scholarship to attend Tougaloo College in Mississippi where she graduated cum laude with a BS in English and minor in Library Science. Dr. Bennett relocated to Ames, Iowa in 1974 where she received her PhD in Higher Education in 1979  from Iowa State University while she worked in the library as a reference and catalog librarian. She became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Phi Delta Kappa and was elected to the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society at ISU.

While applying for positions as a librarian she was offered and accepted a position as the Director of FD Bluford library at A&T University in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1982 where she spent the next six years until her health failed her.

Dr. Bennett will be remembered for her great sense of humor, outgoing personality and her willingness to help anyone in need. She placed a a great value on education and enjoyed helping students excel. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends and loved cooking.  She especially liked having friends and colleagues over to socialize. Later in life she enjoyed listen to gospel music and watching westerns, comedy’s and action movies.

Dr. Bennett was proceeding in death by her parents. Two sisters, Jacqueline Ellison and Bonita Yvonne Williams. Three brothers, George Washington Cook, Phillip Carr and James Weatherspoon. Left to mourn her passing is her sister Johnnie Lee Fourte and her children, Jerry Bennett Jr., Cheri Bennett and a host of relatives and friends.

Arrangements were held privately.

Serenity Funeral Home & Cremations “Home of Lasting Memories”

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