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