Billie L. (Burke) Bennett ~ Aug. 15, 1920 - July 20, 2007
Billie L. Burke Bennett, 86, of Ripley, passed away Friday, July 20, 2007, at Charleston Memorial Hospital following a long illness.
She was born August 15, 1920, at Ripley, a daughter of the late Everett and Tessie Forna Carney Burke. She was a graduate of Ripley High School and was the first "Miss Viking" in 1938. She received her Bachelors Degree from Morris Harvey College in 1952 and a Masters Degree from Marshall University in 1958. She was a schoolteacher having taught for 30 years, 26 of those years as a first grade teacher at Ripley Elementary School.
She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star in Ripley, Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, American Association of University Women, WVEA, GFWC Woman's Club of Ripley, Jackson General Hospital Ladies Auxiliary and a member of the Epworth United Methodist Church in Ripley since 1932 where she served in the Choir for 75 years, was the Church Historian, Chair of the Worship Committee and was in the United Methodist Women along with many other positions. She was a member of the Ripley High School Alumni Association where in 2005 she was awarded the Alumnus of the Year. Billie never said "No" when she was asked to serve.
Billie once said, "Teaching is more than a job. It is a God-given mission. My task is to teach life, so that boys and girls may find life beautiful. Joy comes from seeing the gradual development of the young lives entrusted to my care knowing that I hold within my hand the future of the State and Nation."
She is survived by numerous cousins including Garnet Landfried, Dick and Phillip Landfried, JoAnn Raines, Mary Sue Cossin, Eddie Landfried, Linda Harpold , Christy Campbell Joan Carney, Edward Landfried, Dorothy Moore, Charles Landfried, Sue McClain, Jim Landfried, Linda Postum and Brenda Marcum along with hundreds of friends and thousands of students.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Keath (Keith?) Bennett and a brother Thomas Watson Burke.
Funeral services will be held Friday, July 27, 2007, at 11 a.m. at Epworth United Methodist Church, Ripley, with Rev. Dr. Ken Krimmel officiating. Burial will follow in Pine Hill Cemetery, Ripley. Friends may call Thursday, July 26, 2007, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Epworth United Methodist Church and one hour prior to the service at the church. Vail Funeral Home, Ripley is in charge of the services.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Epworth United Methodist Church Building Fund, North and Church St., Ripley, WV 25271.
Billie L. Burke Bennett, 86, of Ripley, passed away Friday, July 20, 2007, at Charleston Memorial Hospital following a long illness.
She was born August 15, 1920, at Ripley, a daughter of the late Everett and Tessie Forna Carney Burke. She was a graduate of Ripley High School and was the first "Miss Viking" in 1938. She received her Bachelors Degree from Morris Harvey College in 1952 and a Masters Degree from Marshall University in 1958. She was a schoolteacher having taught for 30 years, 26 of those years as a first grade teacher at Ripley Elementary School.
She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star in Ripley, Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, American Association of University Women, WVEA, GFWC Woman's Club of Ripley, Jackson General Hospital Ladies Auxiliary and a member of the Epworth United Methodist Church in Ripley since 1932 where she served in the Choir for 75 years, was the Church Historian, Chair of the Worship Committee and was in the United Methodist Women along with many other positions. She was a member of the Ripley High School Alumni Association where in 2005 she was awarded the Alumnus of the Year. Billie never said "No" when she was asked to serve.
Billie once said, "Teaching is more than a job. It is a God-given mission. My task is to teach life, so that boys and girls may find life beautiful. Joy comes from seeing the gradual development of the young lives entrusted to my care knowing that I hold within my hand the future of the State and Nation."
She is survived by numerous cousins including Garnet Landfried, Dick and Phillip Landfried, JoAnn Raines, Mary Sue Cossin, Eddie Landfried, Linda Harpold , Christy Campbell Joan Carney, Edward Landfried, Dorothy Moore, Charles Landfried, Sue McClain, Jim Landfried, Linda Postum and Brenda Marcum along with hundreds of friends and thousands of students.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Keath (Keith?) Bennett and a brother Thomas Watson Burke.
Funeral services will be held Friday, July 27, 2007, at 11 a.m. at Epworth United Methodist Church, Ripley, with Rev. Dr. Ken Krimmel officiating. Burial will follow in Pine Hill Cemetery, Ripley. Friends may call Thursday, July 26, 2007, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Epworth United Methodist Church and one hour prior to the service at the church. Vail Funeral Home, Ripley is in charge of the services.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Epworth United Methodist Church Building Fund, North and Church St., Ripley, WV 25271.
