Magda D. Bennett

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Magda D. Bennett.  She died on the morning of January 4, 2023, peacefully in her sleep with family by her side at her home in High Shoals, Georgia.  She was 94 years old.

Magda Lelia Dunn was born on August 9, 1928, to James Roland Dunn and Virgie Ellen Dunn in Montcalm, West Virginia—a place that she deeply cherished and continued to visit throughout her life.  She was a graduate of Bramwell High School, class of 1946.

She attended Raleigh General Hospital, School of Nursing, in Beckley, West Virginia, graduating in 1949.  She then attended Johnson Bible College in Knoxville, Tennessee, pursuing a degree in Religion while working as a Registered Nurse.  It was here that she met the love of her life, Joseph Richard Bennett.  They were married for 71 wonderful years.  Together, they raised 5 children: Joe, Dawn, Jim, Starr, and Jonathan.  Magda was a dedicated mother and avid learner; she finished her degree in Religion at Johnson in 1973 and in the following year, her Masters of Science Degree in Nursing at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta.  The concept of her thesis, Family Life Enrichment Centers, Inc. was brought to life in 1981 in High Shoals and continued until her retirement in 2014.

Magda, affectionately known as “Grandma”, dearly loved her husband, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  She is survived by her husband, Dr. Joseph R. Bennett; children, Joseph R. Bennett II (Sue), Dawn B. Howard (John), James D. Bennett (Rhonda), Starr B. Thomas (Jeff), and Jonathan W. Bennett; grandchildren, Emily, Joseph III, Elizabeth, David, Jeffery, Jesse, Sarah, and Jackson; and six great grandchildren.  She is also survived by several cousins in Princeton, West Virginia and Sarasota, Florida.

While we are heartbroken, our heartbreak is bittersweet; Magda was an adamant believer in God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit and was ordained as a minister by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in June 1974.  We are brought to peace knowing that she is celebrating with family and friends.  Her husband and children express deep gratitude to her physician, Dr. William Rigsby, all of their caregivers, St. Mary’s Hospital, St. Mary’s Home Health, and St. Mary’s Hospice that assisted with her journey.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at High Shoals Christian Church with Jeff Thomas officiating.  Interment will follow at Thomas Cemetery.  The family will receive friends on Friday at Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, West, Watkinsville from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Pallbearers include, Jeffery Thomas, Jackson Thomas, Jesse Page, Ben Ivey, Dr. Thomas Eades and Justin Pannell.

Flowers are accepted; however, donations can also be made to Johnson University in Knoxville, TN. Donate by visiting https://johnsonu.edu/donate/tennessee/ .

Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, WEST, Watkinsville is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com