Ruth Bennett

Ruth Smith Bennett, 89, of Colonial Heights, passed away on Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at the Colonial Heights Health Care Center after an extended illness. Mrs. Bennett was born on July 25, 1920 in Powhatan, Virginia to Joe B. and Agnes C. Smith and was raised in Amelia County with eleven brothers and sisters. It was on the Cloverdale Farm that she acquired the appreciation of horticulture and beautiful flowers. Mrs. Bennett served five terms as President of the Violet Bank Garden Club and was a Life Member of the Garden Club of Virginia. She also was active in Ikebana and was appointed to serve on the Colonial Heights Beautification Commission. Mrs. Bennett was a member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church where she served on the Flower committee. After 30 years of service, Mrs. Bennett retired from Long Manufacturing Company. She was preceded in death by sisters and brothers, Barbara Smith, Irene Timberlake, Edith Johnson, Walter D. Smith, Gladys Wallace, Doris Smith, and Carl Smith. Mrs. Bennett is survived by her husband of 67 years, James Allen Bennett Jr.; sisters, Lena Martin and Louise Poore of Powhatan, Virginia Jones of Midlothian; and a brother, Glen D. Smith of Amelia; sixteen nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held 1:00 p.m. Monday, October 12, 2009 in the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory, 2033 Boulevard with the Reverend Dr. Andrew Brockelman officiating. Interment Sunset Memorial Park, Chester. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the funeral service at the funeral home. Flowers are welcome or contributions may be made to Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, 3110 Greenwood Avenue, Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834.