Active Pallbearers
Johnnie Ball, III
DeShawn Bennett
Rodney Bennett, Jr.
Thaddeus White
Danny Cross
Dwight Drisdon
Eugene Daryl Walker
Honorary Pallbearers
Deacons of Bark Camp Baptist Church
Burke County Retired Educators Association
Burke County Educators
Flower Bearers
Nieces, Ushers of Bark Camp Church
Acknowledgements
The Bennett family would like to thank all those in the community
and surrounding counties for the help in the search for our loved one.
In times like these, when hearts are heavy, it is so wonderful for friends
to show concern and care. We appreciate your visit, cards, calls, and
for thinking of us at this difficult time. Your prayers, food and flowers
help to sustain us during these hours. Although Arletha is gone, and
we will miss her dearly, we know that she is in a place where there is
peace. Please continue to pray for us!
All our love and appreciation
Interment
Bark Camp Baptist Church Cemetery
MaGruder Road Midville, Ga.
Repast
Repast will take place at Bark Camp Baptist Church
immediately following the Interment.
Obsequies
Sunrise
September 12, 1936
Sunset
January 17, 2014
Monday, February 24, 2014
12:00 Noon
Waynesboro Deliverance Evangelistic Church
Waynesboro, Georgia
Rev. Glenn Wiggins, Pastor
Phinazee and Son Funeral Home
404 West Eighth Street Waynesboro, Georgia 30830
Telephone: (706) 554-5500
Kelsey M. Phinazee Crystal M. Preston
Mortician/Funeral Director Counselor/Assistant Director
Rev. Chavas Boyd - Officiating
Respectfully At Your Service
Phinazee and Son Funeral Home
Arletha Diane Bennett was born September 12, 1936 to the
late Mr. and Mrs. Neely Bennett, Sr.
At an early age, she joined Bark Camp Baptist Church where
she served until her health began to decline.
Arletha received her early education in the Burke County
School System and her high school education in the Jenkins
County School System, graduating June of 1953. After completing
her secondary education, her ambition and industrial travail led
her to Fort Valley State University where she matriculated until
June 1957, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary
education. Later years, she returned to Fort Valley State University
and received her Masters of Science degree in elementary education.
Further study was done at Georgia Southern University allowing
her to earn a Specialist degree in education.
Arletha began her work career at the old Blakeney Elementary
School in 1958 and remained there her entire career which
spanned 35 years. For many of the years at Blakeney, she was lead
teacher of the fifth grade. She was an inspirational teacher and
often, with family members expressed pride about her students
progress. She worked diligently with each student to ascertain
that he or she achieved their best. Not only was she a master in
the classroom, but also expanded his or her horizons through field
trips and other extra-curricula activities. She set-up and taught
Bible classes at her much-loved Bark Camp Baptist Church.
Civically, she was a member of Toastmaster International,
Burke County Retired Educators Association, and Georgia Retired
Teachers Association. During her career, she received certificates of
recognition from Outstanding Elementary Teachers of America,
Outstanding Leaders in Elementary and Secondary Education,
and an honor award for service to teaching and education.
Her untiring love and service were devoted to her love for
God, her church (Bark Camp Baptist Church), her family, and
her community.
She is survived by her sisters Aretha D. Cross and Shirlene Ball
(Johnnie Ball, Jr.) of Augusta, Ga., Mae I. Birt of Waynesboro,
Ga.; and Allene Bennett Walker (Bonny) of Yorktown, Va.;
brothers Hyland Bennett (Joyce) of Colorado Springs, Colo.;
Leroy Bennett (Azelma) of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; aunts, Shirley
Thomas (Ben) and Jeannette Bennett of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.;
uncles Charles and Willie Hadden of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., sister-
in law, Geneva Roundtree of Augusta, Ga.; brother-in-law Eugene
Walker of Miami, Fla..; and several nieces, nephews, cousins,
great-nieces, and great-nephews.
Order of Service
Prelude........................Mr. Reginald Carswell, Musician
Procession...................................Rev. Chavas Boyd
Pastor, Mt Vernon Baptist Church
Augusta, Ga.
Hymn... Pass Me Not Oh, Gentle Savior Burke County Mass Choir
Scriptures.........................Old Testament: Psalms 139
New Testament: John 14: 1-14
Rev. Isaac Barnwell
Pastor, Bark Camp Baptist Church
Prayer of Comfort...........................Rev. Isaac Barnwell
Solo.....I Want To Go Where Jesus Is...Dea. David Singleton
Reflections........................Mrs. Shanda Edwards, Niece
Mr. Wilbert Roberts, Former Principal
Mrs. Mae Ida Birt, Sister
Selection... Let the Church Say Amen.Burke County Mass Choir
Resolutions..............................Mr. Emanuel Larkins
Burke County Retired Educators Association
Mr. Charles Smith
President, NAACP, Augusta Chapter
Solo.....I Bowed Down and Cried Holy......Ms. Joy McBorrows
Obituary and Acknowledgements...........(Read Silently)
Words of Comfort.....................Rev. Chavas Boyd
Pastor, Mt Vernon Baptist Church
Augusta, Ga.
Recession... When We All Get Together.... Burke County Mass Choir
When Tomorrow Starts Without Me
When tomorrow starts without me
And Im not here to see
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me
I wish you wouldnt cry
The way you did today
While thinking of many things
We did not get to say
I know how much you love me
As much as I love you
Each time that you think of me
I know you will miss me too
When tomorrow starts without me
Please try to understand
That an angel came and called my name
And took me by the hand
The angel said my place was ready
In heaven far above
And that I would have to leave behind
All those I dearly love
But when I walked through Heavens Gates
I felt so much at home
When GOD looked down and smiled at me
From his golden throne
He said this is Eternity
And all I promised you
Today for life on earth is done
But here it starts it starts a new
I promise no tomorrow
For today will always last
And since each days the exact same way
There is no longing for the past
So when tomorrow starts without me
Do not think were apart
For every time you think of me
Remember Im right here in your heart
Elizabeth Doris Fries