Bernice Violet Bennett

Bernice Violet Elder Bennett of Chesterfield County, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 18, 2021.
Born in Brunswick County, she was the daughter of the late William Ernest Elder and Lottie Jean Miles. She was preceded in death by her husband George Bernard Bennett. Her late Brothers and Sisters are William Elder, Herman Elder, Frank Elder, Emily Elder Shell, and Hazel Elder Merhout. She was blessed to still have three sisters, Virginia Elder Moorman, Jean Elder Vinson and June Elder Williams and her Brother-in-law Jim Merhout.
The Elder family moved to Chesterfield County in the year 1924, where later they purchased a house in Colonial Heights on Maple Grove Avenue. Bernice, the oldest child, was a shy young lady who would never go against anything that her parents taught her.
She met a quiet young man who enjoyed visiting her and her family. He would play his guitar and sing to her and her younger siblings. She would later married George Bernard Bennett in 1940. In the following years, they had four children, Billy, Jean, Clyde, and Judy.
In 1945 and 1946, Bernard built her a house on Meridian Avenue in Chester. When you have four children, you can expect a lot of the local kids to come around. She and Bernard loved their children’s friends and they were always welcomed in the Bennett home. Often, Bernard and Bernice would take some of the neighboring kids to the movie theater, other places, and Pocahontas Park depending on how many they could safely fit in the car.
Bernice was a kind and hard-working woman and would do anything she could to help her family and friends. Bernard would have a nice garden each summer and she would prepare, can and put up the vegetables while sharing with others. She was a good cook. Everyone agrees that no one could make a wonderful tasting soup like she could.
She has a wonderful memory, and many would enjoy talking with her and listening to her reminisce about yesteryear. She has been through good and bad times, sorrow and happiness, but her love of life and of others, kept her smiling.
She loved watching her children and their friends grow up, meet their future mates and have their own children. She enjoyed them coming to visit and bringing their families with them.
Bill Bennett (wife Jane Young), their first son Will (Tia), children Heather, Christopher, and Morgan Bennett (Alex) and their sons Maverick, Archer and Rowan Reyes. Second son Jamie and his son Jarrett Bennett.
In 1957, Bernard and Bernice lost their precious daughter Jean in a car accident.
The late Clyde Bennett (wife Jewell Johnson), their first child, the late Heather Bennett, their second child, Sheila Bennett Nunnally (Jack) and their daughter, the late Jacqueline Nunnally. Their third child, Troy Bennett (Jenna), children Nathan and Austin Bennett. Their fourth child Brittany Bennett Goodwin (Robert) and their children Cameron, Abby, Brody.
Bernard and Bernice’s youngest child Judy Bennett Alley (Bob), first child Tammy Queen Burgess (Ken), first child Michelle Hicks Stender (Rick) and their children Liam and Lola Stender; their second child James Burgess (Ashleigh); their second child is Keith Queen (Manny).
The loss of her love ones, her Faith and belief in God helped her get through the difficult times. She loved her Church Family and enjoyed singing in her church choir while being active in other church activities. Bernice felt so blessed. She kept photos of her family and friends all over her home.
Bernice loved to shop for clothes and shoes. She was an attractive woman who took care to present herself with her hair just right and herself well dressed. She did not go to beauty shops. She would do her own hair but preferred that her daughter Judy, do it.
Bernice, as well as all of her family, looked forward to celebrating her 100th birthday with a party; inviting her family members, numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and many friends. Due to the Coronavirus, they were unable to celebrate her birthday. This was a big disappointment for her, her family and relatives and her many friends who were also looking forward to Bernice’s Special Day. She did receive about two hundred birthday cards marked with love, hugs, kisses and best wishes. Everyone was looking forward to April 25th, when she would have celebrated her 101st birthday.
Bernice has a heart of gold, a century worth of wisdom and experiences, and a mind worthy of a 1,000-year-old, she is indeed extraordinary.
The family would like to thank the Staff and Employees who took such good care of our Mother during her stay at Tyler's Retreat in Chester, Virginia.
A funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m., on Monday, March 22nd at the Chester Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home. Visitation will take place one-hour prior, starting at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Woodlawn Baptist Church in Colonial Heights and to Matoaca Baptist Church in Matoaca, Virginia. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com .