James Lowell Bennett
(October 9, 1917 - May 22, 2008)

James Lowell Bennett, 90, Plattsburg, MO, died Thursday, May 22, 2008 at Oakridge of Plattsburg in Plattsburg, MO. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Saturday, May 24, 2008 at the Atkinson Chapel, Adrian, MO with visitation from 1:00-2:00 PM Saturday at the chapel. Burial in Crescent Hill Cemetery, Adrian. Contributions may be made to the Adrian Food Pantry, P.O. Box 271, Adrian, MO 64720.

James was born October 9, 1917 in Long Lane, MO, the son of Benjamin Harrison and Nora A. (Buchanan) Bennett. At age nine, he lost his mother due to complications of childbirth. Several years later, his father married Hassie Burton. This occasion was marked by all attending a World Series game in St. Louis. James married Hattie Almeta Reaves on August 19, 1938, in Mount Vernon, MO. James was a WWII Navy veteran.

James was a teacher and also a farmer. He and his brother-in-law built and operated Conway Lumber in Conway, MO until 1950 when he and Almeta bought land in Oklahoma City, where he built G.I. Homes. They returned to Missouri in 1952 and bought a farm west of Adrian where they resided until he returned to his love of building houses. In 1972, upon establishing himself as a reputable contractor/builder, James built many homes in and around Adrian and developed Bennett Addition. A man of strong work ethics, he built his last house at the age of 83, doing most of the work himself.

James was a member of the First Baptist Church in Adrian where he served as a deacon, Sunday school superintendent, Sunday school teacher and treasurer.

James was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Almeta, stepmother, Hassie, a sister, Thelma Knowles, a brother, John A. Bennett and infant brothers. He is survived by three children, Bonita Ferguson, Ronn Bennett and his wife, Debbie, all of Holt, MO and Pam Hill and her husband, Rick, Urich, MO; seven granddaughters; five great-grandchildren; stepsister, Flossie Wiseman, Norman, OK and nieces and nephews.
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from Adrian Journal:
James Lowell Bennett, born October 9, 1917, in Long Lane, Missouri, to Benjamin H. and Nora Buchanan Bennett, peacefully entered into rest on Thursday, May 22, 2008 at Oakridge of Plattsburg in Plattsburg, Missouri. Services were held Saturday, May 24, at 2 p.m. at Atkinson Chapel in Adrian, Missouri with burial at Crescent Hill Cemetery. Reverend Len Redding officiated the services. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Adrian Food Pantry, Adrian, Missouri.
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