Ethel Haywood Bennett

Ethel Downing  Haywood Bennett died on July 3, 2013  in San Diego, Ca.   A lifelong resident of Fayetteville, NC  she was preceded in death by her parents Oscar and Lela Downing Haywood, sisters Gladys Lindley, Hilton Denning, and Aline Weeks as well as brothers, Harold, Harlan and Houston Haywood.   Ethel was the wife of Vance Livingston Bennett (Knox) for 27 years, who passed away in 1967. He lovingly called her Pumpkin.
     Surviving are her daughter Susan Haywood Bennett Kirkpatrick and her husband Charles Edwin Kirkpatrick, Jr. of San Diego, Ca.,   granddaughter Meridith Kirkpatrick Rodgman and husband Jason,  granddaughter Sarah Bennett Kirkpatrick and husband Max Isaacs and great granddaughter Josephine Kirkpatrick all of Raleigh, NC.  She leaves behind her niece Dorothy Williams of Fayetteville, and nephews Robert Lindley of Chapel Hill , NC and Robert Haywood of Fayetteville, NC, as well as many great nieces and nephews.   She was also the aunt of A.W. Denning, Mary Williams, Harlan Haywood and Clinton Lindley,  all deceased.
      Ethel was an artist.  Her yard and home were her canvases.  She took great pride in her home and her family.  She won numerous awards in her garden club with her creativity. Her yards were a source of beauty.   She loved and served her Lord through service given to Snyder Memorial  Baptist Church and actively attended circle and worship groups.   Ethel played the piano by ear and  was a dancer extraordinaire.  She was a member of several bridge clubs and the Fayetteville Women's Club. Ethel was a loving  grandmother and a cheerleader for all  that  were part of her life.   She could always be counted on in a time of need, without being asked showing us all what family should be.
     Ethel was a cosmetologist before the birth of her only child, Susan and then a housewife until the death of her husband.   At that time, Ethel began working  at Fort Bragg as a civil servant until her retirement.
      A product of the depression and war bride, she knew how to persevere in the face of a challenge and taught tenacity to her family through example.  Like many brilliant  women of her time, she never had the chance to spread her wings  and discover her potential, but instilled  her desire to do so with the women that followed her.   She knew how to forgive, was aware, wise and called a spade a spade.   Ethel was a strong  woman and those of us left will carry on the legacy she left; to be our personal best.
     Ethel waited patiently for a century to meet her God.  She was confined to her own private world of darkness, silence and pain .  It is said in Isaiah 55:12            You shall go out in joy and be led out in peace.  As a devout believer,  the promise  is now hers.
    We loved her dearly and appreciated the love and strength she showed us.    We are better people because she remains part of us.  We love you MOTHER, MAMA, MEME.
     A  graveside service was held on Saturday, July 13, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at Lafayette Memorial Park with Rev. Archie Barringer officiating.  
     The family request Memorials go to the Cumberland County Services for the Blind or The NC Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing.
     A  mother is you first friend, teacher and sometimes your first enemy.   She is the place that nourished you from conception; your first home.  She is your first love.  Nothing on earth can separate you , not time , not space, not even death.  Her words live in your heart.  
     Online condolences may be sent to www.sullivanshighland.com
     Services entrusted to Sullivan's Highland Funeral Service, and Crematory, of Fayetteville, NC.