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Obituaries

Obituary for Harry Jackson Bennett Harry Jackson Bennett
Well-Known, Successful Dairy Farmer Was Active In His Community, Longtime Rich Patch Union Church Trustee

Mr. Harry Jackson Bennett, age 90, of Rich Patch, Virginia, died Friday, February 21, 2014, at his residence.

He was the husband of the late Mary "Tootsie" Baker Bennett.

Mr. Bennett was born February 15, 1924 in Rich Patch, the son of the late George Madison Bennett and Landon Francis Riddlebarger.

Mr. Bennett was a lifetime resident of this community and the owner of Watahala Farm.

He was a large contributor to agriculture through the Dairy Association and through numerous programs in the Dairy Science Department of Virginia Tech.

He was the Organizing Director of the Alleghany County Farm Bureau, served forty-eight years on the Board of Directors of Farm Credit and in 1993, he was voted Farmer of the Year for the State of Virginia.

Mr. Bennett was the 1992 Lancester Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year for Virginia and had the top producing dairy herd for eleven years as well as holding a national record for production - Virginia Distinguished Dairyman for 1985.

Mr. Bennett served on the Board of Directors of the Mountain Soil and Water Conservation District Board representing Alleghany County for many years.

He was of the Methodist faith and a trustee of the Rich Patch Union Church for seventy years.

Mr. Bennett is survived by two sons, Stephen Allen "Steve" Bennett and wife, Drema of Rich Patch and Ronald Lynn "Ronnie" Bennett and wife, Rebecca, of Rich Patch; two daughters, Deborah Bennett "Debbie" McClung and husband, Earl, of Rich Patch and Kimberly Bennett "Kim" Powers and husband, Larry of Lake Norman, NC; twelve grandchildren, David Allen Bennett and wife, Kim of Rich Patch, Amy Bennett Washburn and husband, Rocky of Rich Patch, Robert Joseph McClung and friend, Beverly Hall of Rich Patch, Lorri McClung Saville and husband, Dale of Rich Patch, Melynda Bennett Sink and husband, Scott of Blacksburg, Ronald Jackson Bennett and wife, Nicole of Rich Patch, May Bennett Pritt and husband, Eric of Gordonsville, Courtney Leigh-Ann Brown of Rich Patch, Bethany Lynn Brown of Rich Patch, Eli Fridley Bennett of Rich Patch, Jackson Bennett Powers of Lake Norman, NC, and Matthew McGuire Powers of Lake Norman, NC; thirteen great grandchildren, Stephen Wayne Bennett, Shannon Emmalee Bennett, Andrew Jason Craft, Nathon Washburn, Haydon Washburn, Faith Kaylyn McClung, Rebecca Hope McClung, Bennett Michael Saville, Joshua Allen Saville, Robert Dale Saville, Mekinsley E. Sink, Mehailyn Francis Sink and Maelie Grace Pritt; a number of nieces and nephews; surviving cousin, Ruth Bush; and special caregivers, Kristen Bennett and Gabi Hayslett.

Mr. Bennett was preceded in death by brothers, Justice D. Bennett, C. Edward Bennett, James R. Bennett, and Robert L. Bennett; and sisters, Mary B. Smith, Mabel B. Smith and Nellie I. Bennett.

A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Monday, February 24, 2014, at Rich Patch Union Church with Rev. Lynn Wright officiating, assisted by Hope Nicely and Rev. Ray Riddleberger. Entombment will follow in Alleghany Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons, David Bennett, Stephen Bennett, Eli Bennett, Ron Bennett, Bob McClung, Jackson Powers, Matthew Powers, Andrew Craft, Bennett Saville, Joshua Saville and Robert Saville.

The family will receive friends on Sunday evening from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Loving Funeral Home.

The family suggests that memorial donations be made to Rich Patch Union Church, 7410 Roaring Run Road, Covington, VA 24426 and Mountain Regional Hospice, P.O. Box 637, Clifton Forge, VA 24422.

Funeral arrangements will be handled by Loving Funeral Home; www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com.