Andrew Franklin Bennett Jr., 77, of Cleveland, was born on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25, 1937, and passed away on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, 2014, after a lengthy battle with progressive multiple sclerosis.
He was a native and longtime resident of Cleveland. He attended First Baptist Church.
He grew up on his parents’ dairy farm in Waterville and graduated in 1956 from Bradley Central High School, after being elected student body president.
He joined the National Guard and earned the rank of sergeant before being accepted to the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Upon graduation from USMA in 1961, he was commissioned as a field artillery officer. He served nine years active duty in the United States Army with tours in White Sands Missile Range, N.M.; Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Sill, Okla.; Korea; and Da Nang, Vietnam. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor device, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Ranger Tab and Parachutist Badge.
He received his doctor of jurisprudence from the University of Tennessee in 1973, at which time he served in the Army Reserves.
During his years in the reserves, he was a liaison to West Point for seven Tennessee counties. He served at the Pentagon and assisted in the development of the Nike anti-ballistic missile system. He retired as a colonel after more than 20 years of uniformed service.
After law school, he served as an attorney in Knox and Bradley counties before being elected as General Sessions Court judge in 1981. He served in this capacity for 24 years, retiring in 2006.
He was active in his community through teaching Sunday School, singing in the church choir, and participating in the Kiwanis Club, Teen Challenge, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, West Point Parents' Club and Civitan Club.
He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Mary Carol Bennett; his parents, Andrew Franklin Sr. and Clara Renner Bennett; one sister, Lillian Colleen Bennett; and three brothers-in-law: Robert Davis, Joe Dement and Wilburn Boring.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Nancy Walker Bennett; his daughter, Dana Bennett Caywood (Mikel), of Kingsport; his son, Andrew Franklin Bennett III (Marta) of Lenoir City; his son, Edward Todd (Kori) Bennett of Franklin; grandchildren: David Andrew Caywood (Nikki) of Kingsport, James Mikel Caywood (Mia) of Kingsport, and Todd Daniel Caywood (Samantha) of Watford City, N.D.; grandchildren: Andrew Franklin Bennett IV and Abigail Elizabeth Bennett of Lenoir City, Grayson Clara Bennett, Sydney Estelle Bennett, Walker David Bennett, and Parker Edward Bennett of Franklin; and three great-grandchildren, Crissie Grace Caywood, Noah Mikel Caywood, and Daxton Heath Caywood, all of Kingsport.
He was the seventh of 13 children, 11 of whom survive him: Geraldine Dement, Swanson Bennett (Nina), Maureen Dement (John), Billie Lou Wooten (Wylie), Bernice Boring, Raymond Bennett (Bettye), Laverne Easterly (Jack), Laura Bennett, Katherine Gibson (Steve), Brenda Medlin (Ron), and Olin Bennett (Nadine); and he is survived by dozens of nieces and nephews.
The Remembrance of Life service will be held Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, at 2 p.m. from the First Baptist Church with Dr. Allan Lockerman officiating.
Interment will follow in the Sunset Memorial Gardens with full military honors.
The family will receive friends from 2 until 4 p.m. and from 6 until 9 p.m. Tuesday at the First Baptist Church, 1275 Stuart Road in Cleveland.
Judge Bennett will lie in repose from 1 until 2 p.m. Wednesday just before the service at the church.
The North Ocoee Chapel of the Jim Rush Funeral Homes has charge of the arrangements.
You may share your condolences and your memories with the Bennett family at www.jimrushfuneralhomes.com.
Read more: Cleveland Daily Banner - Andrew Bennett Jr
Andrew Bennett, a retired Bradley County Sessions Court judge and an icon of the local judiciary, died Thursday at the age of 77.
Bennett, who was retired from the bench, served as Sessions Court judge for many years and was also heavily involved in service to his community.
As recently as within the past year, Bennett donated land which allowed the city to open the newest Cleveland/Bradley County Greenway extension on the north side.
The judge also was honored by the Kiwanis Club of Cleveland two years ago, with its distinguished Citizen of the Year Award.
In the statement which placed him in nomination for the award, Bennett was called “an institution within the legal community in Bradley County and Southeast Tennessee.”
“He used wisdom, firmness and compassion. He can explain the law with simplicity and dispensed justice without fear or favor,” the nomination read.
Cleveland Mayor Tom Rowland said he was honored to have been able to call Bennett a friend.
“He was a caring and compassionate person and he will be greatly missed,” Rowland said. “Sandra and I send our heartfelt prayers and sympathy to the Bennett family on behalf of the entire community.”
Tenth Judicial District Attorney General Steve Crump called Bennett’s passing “a true loss.”
“He was a gentleman and everything you expected a judge to be,” Crump said. “He truly cared about the people who came in front of him, and always wanted to do the right thing, and would look for different ways to do the right thing.”
Crump said he learned a great deal “about how judges should conduct themselves by watching Judge Bennett.”
“Our community is certainly lessened today by his passing,” Crump said, adding his thoughts and prayers go to the Bennett family.
Jim Rush Funeral Homes is in charge of the currently pending arrangements
Read more: Cleveland Daily Banner - Retired judge Andrew Bennett dies at age 77
He was a native and longtime resident of Cleveland. He attended First Baptist Church.
He grew up on his parents’ dairy farm in Waterville and graduated in 1956 from Bradley Central High School, after being elected student body president.
He joined the National Guard and earned the rank of sergeant before being accepted to the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Upon graduation from USMA in 1961, he was commissioned as a field artillery officer. He served nine years active duty in the United States Army with tours in White Sands Missile Range, N.M.; Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Sill, Okla.; Korea; and Da Nang, Vietnam. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor device, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Ranger Tab and Parachutist Badge.
He received his doctor of jurisprudence from the University of Tennessee in 1973, at which time he served in the Army Reserves.
During his years in the reserves, he was a liaison to West Point for seven Tennessee counties. He served at the Pentagon and assisted in the development of the Nike anti-ballistic missile system. He retired as a colonel after more than 20 years of uniformed service.
After law school, he served as an attorney in Knox and Bradley counties before being elected as General Sessions Court judge in 1981. He served in this capacity for 24 years, retiring in 2006.
He was active in his community through teaching Sunday School, singing in the church choir, and participating in the Kiwanis Club, Teen Challenge, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, West Point Parents' Club and Civitan Club.
He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Mary Carol Bennett; his parents, Andrew Franklin Sr. and Clara Renner Bennett; one sister, Lillian Colleen Bennett; and three brothers-in-law: Robert Davis, Joe Dement and Wilburn Boring.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Nancy Walker Bennett; his daughter, Dana Bennett Caywood (Mikel), of Kingsport; his son, Andrew Franklin Bennett III (Marta) of Lenoir City; his son, Edward Todd (Kori) Bennett of Franklin; grandchildren: David Andrew Caywood (Nikki) of Kingsport, James Mikel Caywood (Mia) of Kingsport, and Todd Daniel Caywood (Samantha) of Watford City, N.D.; grandchildren: Andrew Franklin Bennett IV and Abigail Elizabeth Bennett of Lenoir City, Grayson Clara Bennett, Sydney Estelle Bennett, Walker David Bennett, and Parker Edward Bennett of Franklin; and three great-grandchildren, Crissie Grace Caywood, Noah Mikel Caywood, and Daxton Heath Caywood, all of Kingsport.
He was the seventh of 13 children, 11 of whom survive him: Geraldine Dement, Swanson Bennett (Nina), Maureen Dement (John), Billie Lou Wooten (Wylie), Bernice Boring, Raymond Bennett (Bettye), Laverne Easterly (Jack), Laura Bennett, Katherine Gibson (Steve), Brenda Medlin (Ron), and Olin Bennett (Nadine); and he is survived by dozens of nieces and nephews.
The Remembrance of Life service will be held Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, at 2 p.m. from the First Baptist Church with Dr. Allan Lockerman officiating.
Interment will follow in the Sunset Memorial Gardens with full military honors.
The family will receive friends from 2 until 4 p.m. and from 6 until 9 p.m. Tuesday at the First Baptist Church, 1275 Stuart Road in Cleveland.
Judge Bennett will lie in repose from 1 until 2 p.m. Wednesday just before the service at the church.
The North Ocoee Chapel of the Jim Rush Funeral Homes has charge of the arrangements.
You may share your condolences and your memories with the Bennett family at www.jimrushfuneralhomes.com.
Read more: Cleveland Daily Banner - Andrew Bennett Jr
Andrew Bennett, a retired Bradley County Sessions Court judge and an icon of the local judiciary, died Thursday at the age of 77.
Bennett, who was retired from the bench, served as Sessions Court judge for many years and was also heavily involved in service to his community.
As recently as within the past year, Bennett donated land which allowed the city to open the newest Cleveland/Bradley County Greenway extension on the north side.
The judge also was honored by the Kiwanis Club of Cleveland two years ago, with its distinguished Citizen of the Year Award.
In the statement which placed him in nomination for the award, Bennett was called “an institution within the legal community in Bradley County and Southeast Tennessee.”
“He used wisdom, firmness and compassion. He can explain the law with simplicity and dispensed justice without fear or favor,” the nomination read.
Cleveland Mayor Tom Rowland said he was honored to have been able to call Bennett a friend.
“He was a caring and compassionate person and he will be greatly missed,” Rowland said. “Sandra and I send our heartfelt prayers and sympathy to the Bennett family on behalf of the entire community.”
Tenth Judicial District Attorney General Steve Crump called Bennett’s passing “a true loss.”
“He was a gentleman and everything you expected a judge to be,” Crump said. “He truly cared about the people who came in front of him, and always wanted to do the right thing, and would look for different ways to do the right thing.”
Crump said he learned a great deal “about how judges should conduct themselves by watching Judge Bennett.”
“Our community is certainly lessened today by his passing,” Crump said, adding his thoughts and prayers go to the Bennett family.
Jim Rush Funeral Homes is in charge of the currently pending arrangements
Read more: Cleveland Daily Banner - Retired judge Andrew Bennett dies at age 77
Andrew Franklin Bennett Jr., 77, of Cleveland, was born on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25, 1937, and passed away on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, 2014, after a lengthy battle with progressive multiple sclerosis.
He was a native and longtime resident of Cleveland. He attended First Baptist Church.
He grew up on his parents’ dairy farm in Waterville and graduated in 1956 from Bradley Central High School, after being elected student body president.
He joined the National Guard and earned the rank of sergeant before being accepted to the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Upon graduation from USMA in 1961, he was commissioned as a field artillery officer. He served nine years active duty in the United States Army with tours in White Sands Missile Range, N.M.; Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Sill, Okla.; Korea; and Da Nang, Vietnam. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor device, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Ranger Tab and Parachutist Badge.
He received his doctor of jurisprudence from the University of Tennessee in 1973, at which time he served in the Army Reserves.
During his years in the reserves, he was a liaison to West Point for seven Tennessee counties. He served at the Pentagon and assisted in the development of the Nike anti-ballistic missile system. He retired as a colonel after more than 20 years of uniformed service.
After law school, he served as an attorney in Knox and Bradley counties before being elected as General Sessions Court judge in 1981. He served in this capacity for 24 years, retiring in 2006.
He was active in his community through teaching Sunday School, singing in the church choir, and participating in the Kiwanis Club, Teen Challenge, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, West Point Parents' Club and Civitan Club.
He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Mary Carol Bennett; his parents, Andrew Franklin Sr. and Clara Renner Bennett; one sister, Lillian Colleen Bennett; and three brothers-in-law: Robert Davis, Joe Dement and Wilburn Boring.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Nancy Walker Bennett; his daughter, Dana Bennett Caywood (Mikel), of Kingsport; his son, Andrew Franklin Bennett III (Marta) of Lenoir City; his son, Edward Todd (Kori) Bennett of Franklin; grandchildren: David Andrew Caywood (Nikki) of Kingsport, James Mikel Caywood (Mia) of Kingsport, and Todd Daniel Caywood (Samantha) of Watford City, N.D.; grandchildren: Andrew Franklin Bennett IV and Abigail Elizabeth Bennett of Lenoir City, Grayson Clara Bennett, Sydney Estelle Bennett, Walker David Bennett, and Parker Edward Bennett of Franklin; and three great-grandchildren, Crissie Grace Caywood, Noah Mikel Caywood, and Daxton Heath Caywood, all of Kingsport.
He was the seventh of 13 children, 11 of whom survive him: Geraldine Dement, Swanson Bennett (Nina), Maureen Dement (John), Billie Lou Wooten (Wylie), Bernice Boring, Raymond Bennett (Bettye), Laverne Easterly (Jack), Laura Bennett, Katherine Gibson (Steve), Brenda Medlin (Ron), and Olin Bennett (Nadine); and he is survived by dozens of nieces and nephews.
The Remembrance of Life service will be held Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, at 2 p.m. from the First Baptist Church with Dr. Allan Lockerman officiating.
Interment will follow in the Sunset Memorial Gardens with full military honors.
The family will receive friends from 2 until 4 p.m. and from 6 until 9 p.m. Tuesday at the First Baptist Church, 1275 Stuart Road in Cleveland.
Judge Bennett will lie in repose from 1 until 2 p.m. Wednesday just before the service at the church.
The North Ocoee Chapel of the Jim Rush Funeral Homes has charge of the arrangements.
You may share your condolences and your memories with the Bennett family at www.jimrushfuneralhomes.com.
Read more: Cleveland Daily Banner - Andrew Bennett Jr
Andrew Bennett, a retired Bradley County Sessions Court judge and an icon of the local judiciary, died Thursday at the age of 77.
Bennett, who was retired from the bench, served as Sessions Court judge for many years and was also heavily involved in service to his community.
As recently as within the past year, Bennett donated land which allowed the city to open the newest Cleveland/Bradley County Greenway extension on the north side.
The judge also was honored by the Kiwanis Club of Cleveland two years ago, with its distinguished Citizen of the Year Award.
In the statement which placed him in nomination for the award, Bennett was called “an institution within the legal community in Bradley County and Southeast Tennessee.”
“He used wisdom, firmness and compassion. He can explain the law with simplicity and dispensed justice without fear or favor,” the nomination read.
Cleveland Mayor Tom Rowland said he was honored to have been able to call Bennett a friend.
“He was a caring and compassionate person and he will be greatly missed,” Rowland said. “Sandra and I send our heartfelt prayers and sympathy to the Bennett family on behalf of the entire community.”
Tenth Judicial District Attorney General Steve Crump called Bennett’s passing “a true loss.”
“He was a gentleman and everything you expected a judge to be,” Crump said. “He truly cared about the people who came in front of him, and always wanted to do the right thing, and would look for different ways to do the right thing.”
Crump said he learned a great deal “about how judges should conduct themselves by watching Judge Bennett.”
“Our community is certainly lessened today by his passing,” Crump said, adding his thoughts and prayers go to the Bennett family.
Jim Rush Funeral Homes is in charge of the currently pending arrangements
Read more: Cleveland Daily Banner - Retired judge Andrew Bennett dies at age 77
He was a native and longtime resident of Cleveland. He attended First Baptist Church.
He grew up on his parents’ dairy farm in Waterville and graduated in 1956 from Bradley Central High School, after being elected student body president.
He joined the National Guard and earned the rank of sergeant before being accepted to the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Upon graduation from USMA in 1961, he was commissioned as a field artillery officer. He served nine years active duty in the United States Army with tours in White Sands Missile Range, N.M.; Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Sill, Okla.; Korea; and Da Nang, Vietnam. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor device, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Ranger Tab and Parachutist Badge.
He received his doctor of jurisprudence from the University of Tennessee in 1973, at which time he served in the Army Reserves.
During his years in the reserves, he was a liaison to West Point for seven Tennessee counties. He served at the Pentagon and assisted in the development of the Nike anti-ballistic missile system. He retired as a colonel after more than 20 years of uniformed service.
After law school, he served as an attorney in Knox and Bradley counties before being elected as General Sessions Court judge in 1981. He served in this capacity for 24 years, retiring in 2006.
He was active in his community through teaching Sunday School, singing in the church choir, and participating in the Kiwanis Club, Teen Challenge, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, West Point Parents' Club and Civitan Club.
He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Mary Carol Bennett; his parents, Andrew Franklin Sr. and Clara Renner Bennett; one sister, Lillian Colleen Bennett; and three brothers-in-law: Robert Davis, Joe Dement and Wilburn Boring.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Nancy Walker Bennett; his daughter, Dana Bennett Caywood (Mikel), of Kingsport; his son, Andrew Franklin Bennett III (Marta) of Lenoir City; his son, Edward Todd (Kori) Bennett of Franklin; grandchildren: David Andrew Caywood (Nikki) of Kingsport, James Mikel Caywood (Mia) of Kingsport, and Todd Daniel Caywood (Samantha) of Watford City, N.D.; grandchildren: Andrew Franklin Bennett IV and Abigail Elizabeth Bennett of Lenoir City, Grayson Clara Bennett, Sydney Estelle Bennett, Walker David Bennett, and Parker Edward Bennett of Franklin; and three great-grandchildren, Crissie Grace Caywood, Noah Mikel Caywood, and Daxton Heath Caywood, all of Kingsport.
He was the seventh of 13 children, 11 of whom survive him: Geraldine Dement, Swanson Bennett (Nina), Maureen Dement (John), Billie Lou Wooten (Wylie), Bernice Boring, Raymond Bennett (Bettye), Laverne Easterly (Jack), Laura Bennett, Katherine Gibson (Steve), Brenda Medlin (Ron), and Olin Bennett (Nadine); and he is survived by dozens of nieces and nephews.
The Remembrance of Life service will be held Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, at 2 p.m. from the First Baptist Church with Dr. Allan Lockerman officiating.
Interment will follow in the Sunset Memorial Gardens with full military honors.
The family will receive friends from 2 until 4 p.m. and from 6 until 9 p.m. Tuesday at the First Baptist Church, 1275 Stuart Road in Cleveland.
Judge Bennett will lie in repose from 1 until 2 p.m. Wednesday just before the service at the church.
The North Ocoee Chapel of the Jim Rush Funeral Homes has charge of the arrangements.
You may share your condolences and your memories with the Bennett family at www.jimrushfuneralhomes.com.
Read more: Cleveland Daily Banner - Andrew Bennett Jr
Andrew Bennett, a retired Bradley County Sessions Court judge and an icon of the local judiciary, died Thursday at the age of 77.
Bennett, who was retired from the bench, served as Sessions Court judge for many years and was also heavily involved in service to his community.
As recently as within the past year, Bennett donated land which allowed the city to open the newest Cleveland/Bradley County Greenway extension on the north side.
The judge also was honored by the Kiwanis Club of Cleveland two years ago, with its distinguished Citizen of the Year Award.
In the statement which placed him in nomination for the award, Bennett was called “an institution within the legal community in Bradley County and Southeast Tennessee.”
“He used wisdom, firmness and compassion. He can explain the law with simplicity and dispensed justice without fear or favor,” the nomination read.
Cleveland Mayor Tom Rowland said he was honored to have been able to call Bennett a friend.
“He was a caring and compassionate person and he will be greatly missed,” Rowland said. “Sandra and I send our heartfelt prayers and sympathy to the Bennett family on behalf of the entire community.”
Tenth Judicial District Attorney General Steve Crump called Bennett’s passing “a true loss.”
“He was a gentleman and everything you expected a judge to be,” Crump said. “He truly cared about the people who came in front of him, and always wanted to do the right thing, and would look for different ways to do the right thing.”
Crump said he learned a great deal “about how judges should conduct themselves by watching Judge Bennett.”
“Our community is certainly lessened today by his passing,” Crump said, adding his thoughts and prayers go to the Bennett family.
Jim Rush Funeral Homes is in charge of the currently pending arrangements
Read more: Cleveland Daily Banner - Retired judge Andrew Bennett dies at age 77
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
