Martha Jean Bennett, of Jennings, FL. passed away on Wednesday, August 26, 2020 at Suwannee Valley Nursing Center at the age of 91.
Jean was a native of Mayo, FL. born on November 26, 1928 to the late John and Winnie Land O'Steen. In 1942 she married James Willard Bennett and started a family. She was known best as "Miss Jean" and she was loved by all who knew her. Jean never met a stranger and went about spreading joy wherever she called home as was evidenced in her last days at Suwannee Valley Nursing Center. She worked for many years at Levi Strauss in Valdosta as a seamstress and later at Jasper Textile briefly. Jean was a dedicated member of Jennings Missionary Baptist Church where she was sought out as one of the best cooks at all of the church functions. Her children were confident that this was true when the story was related to them because they too offered stories of grand meals she prepared over the years and topped with the best biscuits hand down in the world. In 1989 Jean buried her husband James Willard Bennett and on Wednesday evening she joined him again at heaven's gate.

Survivors include three sons, James Rodney Bennett (JoAnn), Woodbridge, VA., Connie Mack Bennett (Patricia), Cordele, GA. and Thomas Allen Bennett, Warner Robins, GA.; four daughters, Mary Jane Looney (Jim) Erwin, TN., Phyllis Elaine Dampier, Jennings, FL., Glenda Bennett (Lamar), Jennings, FL. and Lisa Burnam (Mike), Lizella, GA.; two brothers, Tommy O'Steen, Lake City, FL. and Sammy O'Steen, Mayo, FL.; two sisters, Sue Padgett and Janice Mantzanas , both of Mayo, FL.; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great-grandchildren.

Graveside services were held Saturday, August 29, 2020 at Sassers Landing Cemetery near Jennings.