In Memory of….. Ella Lee Bennett.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you!
Ella Lee Bennett, 4, died Monday, February 5, 2007, in Abilene. A memorial service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 542 Hickory, with Dr. Phil Christopher officiating.
Ella was born April 12, 2002 in Newnan, Georgia. In 2004, Ella moved to Abilene where she was a student at Abilene Christian Schools.
She is survived by her mother, Charity Bennett, and brother, Paris Lee Bennett, both of Abilene; maternal grandparents, Billy and Kyla Taylor of Seymour, Texas; great-aunt, Samantha Claar and aunt, Khyman Taylor of Seymour; and several aunts and cousins.
Memorials may be made to Scholarship funds at Abilene Christian Schools or Abilene Performing Arts Co., (APAC), 1174 N. 1st Street, Abilene, TX 79601.
******************
** UPDATE - Posted on August 27, 2012
by Charity Lee - ELLA is taking up shop in Mississippi. The point of all the work I've done the last five years is to one day open ELLA's Place™, a community center which will offer support and education to those affected by violence and the criminal justice system, no matter which side of the crime scene tape our clients must cross to find us to begin to heal.
***********************
My name is Charity Lee
Written by Charity Lee
In 1980, when I was only six years old, my father, James Robert Bennett Jr., was shot multiple times in the back with a .357 Magnum early one morning in our home. His accused killer was arrested, charged, tried, and acquitted. Had she not been acquitted the death penalty would have been imposed. I knew this woman well. She is my mother.
In 2007, my four year old daughter, Ella Lee Bennett, was sexually assaulted, beaten, choked, and stabbed seventeen times late one night in our home. Minutes after her death her killer called 911 to turn himself in. I knew her killer well. He is my son. Had he not been a juvenile he too would have faced the death penalty.
On April 12, 2011, what would have been Ella's 9th birthday, I created The ELLA Foundation, a nonprofit based in San Antonio, TX, whose mission is to prevent violence and to advocate for human rights through education, criminal justice reform and victim advocacy efforts. I created The ELLA Foundation for one reason, self-evident: it can do more good, spread more love, than one woman alone.
The ELLA Foundation™ is currently at work on the following projects:
• Publication of How Now Butterfly?©, my memoir on the loss of my children.
• The coordination of local, national, and international agencies and nonprofits to build support for humane treatment of both victims and offenders in an effort to reduce crime and victimization.
• Local, national, and international speaking engagements in which I incorporate my personal experience and professional knowledge of family violence and juvenile crime to educate the public in violence prevention and human rights.
• The development of, in conjunction with the Victim Advocacy & Homicide Divisions of the SAPD, an agency wide volunteer based Crisis Intervention Program. I call my volunteers Team ELLA™ because there are four things someone caught in the cycle of violence needs to stop and overcome violence in their life:
• Empathy
• Love
• Lessons
• Action
My goal and mission in life is for The ELLA Foundation™ to one day have the means to open community centers, named Ella's Place™, in actively crime ridden communities which will offer support and education to victims of violent crime, no matter which side of the crime scene tape our clients must cross to find us to begin to heal.
My son murdered his sister three months after his 13th birthday. For his birthday I sat down and composed a list that summed up 13 things loving him had taught me. Three years later my son turned 16 in the custody of the Texas Youth Commission. I could not bake him a cake, throw him a party, teach him to drive, take him to get a driver's license, or marvel over what an impressive and amazing man my child had grown to be. So I sat down and added three more to his list and mailed it to him. I'd like to share with you what my son taught me about love.
To my beloved son on his 13th birthday…13 things loving you has taught me…
1. Live in the here and now. The past cannot be changed and the future is yours for the creating.
2. Live without limits but set boundaries.
3. Love boldly yet carefully.
4. Be mindful of others dreams and aspirations. Offer support and encouragement often.
5. Know your limits. Trust your instinct. Do not be afraid to draw lines in the sand.
6. Follow your yellow brick road...it always knows where you need to be.
7. Stop & listen to the silence occasionally to remind your self that life is not always as it seems.
8. Trust until given a reason not to. Help until you are being taken advantage of.
9. Hold no regrets: life is too short and you are the sum of all your experiences, both good and bad.
10. Never be afraid to admit your mistakes or apologize for them. You will be a better man then most because of it.
11. Try not to let the actions of a few jade your opinion of all.
12. Good manners will take you farther then any amount of money or talent.
13. When all else fails remind yourself that this is your life and you have to live it the way you feel is best.
To my beloved son on his 16th birthday--it is has been a long hard trip getting here but I would not change any of it--what is, is. You still teach me so much about love so here are three more for your list….
1. Always let love be your guide and light at the end of the your tunnel.
2. As long as you keep breathing, you can survive anything. Even if you quit, you survive everything anyway.
3. No matter who you are, no matter what you have done, no matter what you may do, I always have and I always will love you to the stars and back
If we must fight it is time to fight for justice. If we must fight it is time to fight for humanity. If we must fight the only weapons we should arm ourselves with are empathy, compassion, and love. These are the only weapons that will make our world a better and more humane place to exist.
Charity Lee
Executive Director
"Love your children well....." ~~ Me
******************
Landen's Papa sponsored the memorial you manage for Ella Bennett
Thank you Landen's Papa for your sponsorship.
Eddieb
************************************************************
.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you!
Ella Lee Bennett, 4, died Monday, February 5, 2007, in Abilene. A memorial service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 542 Hickory, with Dr. Phil Christopher officiating.
Ella was born April 12, 2002 in Newnan, Georgia. In 2004, Ella moved to Abilene where she was a student at Abilene Christian Schools.
She is survived by her mother, Charity Bennett, and brother, Paris Lee Bennett, both of Abilene; maternal grandparents, Billy and Kyla Taylor of Seymour, Texas; great-aunt, Samantha Claar and aunt, Khyman Taylor of Seymour; and several aunts and cousins.
Memorials may be made to Scholarship funds at Abilene Christian Schools or Abilene Performing Arts Co., (APAC), 1174 N. 1st Street, Abilene, TX 79601.
******************
** UPDATE - Posted on August 27, 2012
by Charity Lee - ELLA is taking up shop in Mississippi. The point of all the work I've done the last five years is to one day open ELLA's Place™, a community center which will offer support and education to those affected by violence and the criminal justice system, no matter which side of the crime scene tape our clients must cross to find us to begin to heal.
***********************
My name is Charity Lee
Written by Charity Lee
In 1980, when I was only six years old, my father, James Robert Bennett Jr., was shot multiple times in the back with a .357 Magnum early one morning in our home. His accused killer was arrested, charged, tried, and acquitted. Had she not been acquitted the death penalty would have been imposed. I knew this woman well. She is my mother.
In 2007, my four year old daughter, Ella Lee Bennett, was sexually assaulted, beaten, choked, and stabbed seventeen times late one night in our home. Minutes after her death her killer called 911 to turn himself in. I knew her killer well. He is my son. Had he not been a juvenile he too would have faced the death penalty.
On April 12, 2011, what would have been Ella's 9th birthday, I created The ELLA Foundation, a nonprofit based in San Antonio, TX, whose mission is to prevent violence and to advocate for human rights through education, criminal justice reform and victim advocacy efforts. I created The ELLA Foundation for one reason, self-evident: it can do more good, spread more love, than one woman alone.
The ELLA Foundation™ is currently at work on the following projects:
• Publication of How Now Butterfly?©, my memoir on the loss of my children.
• The coordination of local, national, and international agencies and nonprofits to build support for humane treatment of both victims and offenders in an effort to reduce crime and victimization.
• Local, national, and international speaking engagements in which I incorporate my personal experience and professional knowledge of family violence and juvenile crime to educate the public in violence prevention and human rights.
• The development of, in conjunction with the Victim Advocacy & Homicide Divisions of the SAPD, an agency wide volunteer based Crisis Intervention Program. I call my volunteers Team ELLA™ because there are four things someone caught in the cycle of violence needs to stop and overcome violence in their life:
• Empathy
• Love
• Lessons
• Action
My goal and mission in life is for The ELLA Foundation™ to one day have the means to open community centers, named Ella's Place™, in actively crime ridden communities which will offer support and education to victims of violent crime, no matter which side of the crime scene tape our clients must cross to find us to begin to heal.
My son murdered his sister three months after his 13th birthday. For his birthday I sat down and composed a list that summed up 13 things loving him had taught me. Three years later my son turned 16 in the custody of the Texas Youth Commission. I could not bake him a cake, throw him a party, teach him to drive, take him to get a driver's license, or marvel over what an impressive and amazing man my child had grown to be. So I sat down and added three more to his list and mailed it to him. I'd like to share with you what my son taught me about love.
To my beloved son on his 13th birthday…13 things loving you has taught me…
1. Live in the here and now. The past cannot be changed and the future is yours for the creating.
2. Live without limits but set boundaries.
3. Love boldly yet carefully.
4. Be mindful of others dreams and aspirations. Offer support and encouragement often.
5. Know your limits. Trust your instinct. Do not be afraid to draw lines in the sand.
6. Follow your yellow brick road...it always knows where you need to be.
7. Stop & listen to the silence occasionally to remind your self that life is not always as it seems.
8. Trust until given a reason not to. Help until you are being taken advantage of.
9. Hold no regrets: life is too short and you are the sum of all your experiences, both good and bad.
10. Never be afraid to admit your mistakes or apologize for them. You will be a better man then most because of it.
11. Try not to let the actions of a few jade your opinion of all.
12. Good manners will take you farther then any amount of money or talent.
13. When all else fails remind yourself that this is your life and you have to live it the way you feel is best.
To my beloved son on his 16th birthday--it is has been a long hard trip getting here but I would not change any of it--what is, is. You still teach me so much about love so here are three more for your list….
1. Always let love be your guide and light at the end of the your tunnel.
2. As long as you keep breathing, you can survive anything. Even if you quit, you survive everything anyway.
3. No matter who you are, no matter what you have done, no matter what you may do, I always have and I always will love you to the stars and back
If we must fight it is time to fight for justice. If we must fight it is time to fight for humanity. If we must fight the only weapons we should arm ourselves with are empathy, compassion, and love. These are the only weapons that will make our world a better and more humane place to exist.
Charity Lee
Executive Director
"Love your children well....." ~~ Me
******************
Landen's Papa sponsored the memorial you manage for Ella Bennett
Thank you Landen's Papa for your sponsorship.
Eddieb
************************************************************
.
In Memory of….. Ella Lee Bennett.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you!
Ella Lee Bennett, 4, died Monday, February 5, 2007, in Abilene. A memorial service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 542 Hickory, with Dr. Phil Christopher officiating.
Ella was born April 12, 2002 in Newnan, Georgia. In 2004, Ella moved to Abilene where she was a student at Abilene Christian Schools.
She is survived by her mother, Charity Bennett, and brother, Paris Lee Bennett, both of Abilene; maternal grandparents, Billy and Kyla Taylor of Seymour, Texas; great-aunt, Samantha Claar and aunt, Khyman Taylor of Seymour; and several aunts and cousins.
Memorials may be made to Scholarship funds at Abilene Christian Schools or Abilene Performing Arts Co., (APAC), 1174 N. 1st Street, Abilene, TX 79601.
******************
** UPDATE - Posted on August 27, 2012
by Charity Lee - ELLA is taking up shop in Mississippi. The point of all the work I've done the last five years is to one day open ELLA's Place™, a community center which will offer support and education to those affected by violence and the criminal justice system, no matter which side of the crime scene tape our clients must cross to find us to begin to heal.
***********************
My name is Charity Lee
Written by Charity Lee
In 1980, when I was only six years old, my father, James Robert Bennett Jr., was shot multiple times in the back with a .357 Magnum early one morning in our home. His accused killer was arrested, charged, tried, and acquitted. Had she not been acquitted the death penalty would have been imposed. I knew this woman well. She is my mother.
In 2007, my four year old daughter, Ella Lee Bennett, was sexually assaulted, beaten, choked, and stabbed seventeen times late one night in our home. Minutes after her death her killer called 911 to turn himself in. I knew her killer well. He is my son. Had he not been a juvenile he too would have faced the death penalty.
On April 12, 2011, what would have been Ella's 9th birthday, I created The ELLA Foundation, a nonprofit based in San Antonio, TX, whose mission is to prevent violence and to advocate for human rights through education, criminal justice reform and victim advocacy efforts. I created The ELLA Foundation for one reason, self-evident: it can do more good, spread more love, than one woman alone.
The ELLA Foundation™ is currently at work on the following projects:
• Publication of How Now Butterfly?©, my memoir on the loss of my children.
• The coordination of local, national, and international agencies and nonprofits to build support for humane treatment of both victims and offenders in an effort to reduce crime and victimization.
• Local, national, and international speaking engagements in which I incorporate my personal experience and professional knowledge of family violence and juvenile crime to educate the public in violence prevention and human rights.
• The development of, in conjunction with the Victim Advocacy & Homicide Divisions of the SAPD, an agency wide volunteer based Crisis Intervention Program. I call my volunteers Team ELLA™ because there are four things someone caught in the cycle of violence needs to stop and overcome violence in their life:
• Empathy
• Love
• Lessons
• Action
My goal and mission in life is for The ELLA Foundation™ to one day have the means to open community centers, named Ella's Place™, in actively crime ridden communities which will offer support and education to victims of violent crime, no matter which side of the crime scene tape our clients must cross to find us to begin to heal.
My son murdered his sister three months after his 13th birthday. For his birthday I sat down and composed a list that summed up 13 things loving him had taught me. Three years later my son turned 16 in the custody of the Texas Youth Commission. I could not bake him a cake, throw him a party, teach him to drive, take him to get a driver's license, or marvel over what an impressive and amazing man my child had grown to be. So I sat down and added three more to his list and mailed it to him. I'd like to share with you what my son taught me about love.
To my beloved son on his 13th birthday…13 things loving you has taught me…
1. Live in the here and now. The past cannot be changed and the future is yours for the creating.
2. Live without limits but set boundaries.
3. Love boldly yet carefully.
4. Be mindful of others dreams and aspirations. Offer support and encouragement often.
5. Know your limits. Trust your instinct. Do not be afraid to draw lines in the sand.
6. Follow your yellow brick road...it always knows where you need to be.
7. Stop & listen to the silence occasionally to remind your self that life is not always as it seems.
8. Trust until given a reason not to. Help until you are being taken advantage of.
9. Hold no regrets: life is too short and you are the sum of all your experiences, both good and bad.
10. Never be afraid to admit your mistakes or apologize for them. You will be a better man then most because of it.
11. Try not to let the actions of a few jade your opinion of all.
12. Good manners will take you farther then any amount of money or talent.
13. When all else fails remind yourself that this is your life and you have to live it the way you feel is best.
To my beloved son on his 16th birthday--it is has been a long hard trip getting here but I would not change any of it--what is, is. You still teach me so much about love so here are three more for your list….
1. Always let love be your guide and light at the end of the your tunnel.
2. As long as you keep breathing, you can survive anything. Even if you quit, you survive everything anyway.
3. No matter who you are, no matter what you have done, no matter what you may do, I always have and I always will love you to the stars and back
If we must fight it is time to fight for justice. If we must fight it is time to fight for humanity. If we must fight the only weapons we should arm ourselves with are empathy, compassion, and love. These are the only weapons that will make our world a better and more humane place to exist.
Charity Lee
Executive Director
"Love your children well....." ~~ Me
******************
Landen's Papa sponsored the memorial you manage for Ella Bennett
Thank you Landen's Papa for your sponsorship.
Eddieb
************************************************************
.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you!
Ella Lee Bennett, 4, died Monday, February 5, 2007, in Abilene. A memorial service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 542 Hickory, with Dr. Phil Christopher officiating.
Ella was born April 12, 2002 in Newnan, Georgia. In 2004, Ella moved to Abilene where she was a student at Abilene Christian Schools.
She is survived by her mother, Charity Bennett, and brother, Paris Lee Bennett, both of Abilene; maternal grandparents, Billy and Kyla Taylor of Seymour, Texas; great-aunt, Samantha Claar and aunt, Khyman Taylor of Seymour; and several aunts and cousins.
Memorials may be made to Scholarship funds at Abilene Christian Schools or Abilene Performing Arts Co., (APAC), 1174 N. 1st Street, Abilene, TX 79601.
******************
** UPDATE - Posted on August 27, 2012
by Charity Lee - ELLA is taking up shop in Mississippi. The point of all the work I've done the last five years is to one day open ELLA's Place™, a community center which will offer support and education to those affected by violence and the criminal justice system, no matter which side of the crime scene tape our clients must cross to find us to begin to heal.
***********************
My name is Charity Lee
Written by Charity Lee
In 1980, when I was only six years old, my father, James Robert Bennett Jr., was shot multiple times in the back with a .357 Magnum early one morning in our home. His accused killer was arrested, charged, tried, and acquitted. Had she not been acquitted the death penalty would have been imposed. I knew this woman well. She is my mother.
In 2007, my four year old daughter, Ella Lee Bennett, was sexually assaulted, beaten, choked, and stabbed seventeen times late one night in our home. Minutes after her death her killer called 911 to turn himself in. I knew her killer well. He is my son. Had he not been a juvenile he too would have faced the death penalty.
On April 12, 2011, what would have been Ella's 9th birthday, I created The ELLA Foundation, a nonprofit based in San Antonio, TX, whose mission is to prevent violence and to advocate for human rights through education, criminal justice reform and victim advocacy efforts. I created The ELLA Foundation for one reason, self-evident: it can do more good, spread more love, than one woman alone.
The ELLA Foundation™ is currently at work on the following projects:
• Publication of How Now Butterfly?©, my memoir on the loss of my children.
• The coordination of local, national, and international agencies and nonprofits to build support for humane treatment of both victims and offenders in an effort to reduce crime and victimization.
• Local, national, and international speaking engagements in which I incorporate my personal experience and professional knowledge of family violence and juvenile crime to educate the public in violence prevention and human rights.
• The development of, in conjunction with the Victim Advocacy & Homicide Divisions of the SAPD, an agency wide volunteer based Crisis Intervention Program. I call my volunteers Team ELLA™ because there are four things someone caught in the cycle of violence needs to stop and overcome violence in their life:
• Empathy
• Love
• Lessons
• Action
My goal and mission in life is for The ELLA Foundation™ to one day have the means to open community centers, named Ella's Place™, in actively crime ridden communities which will offer support and education to victims of violent crime, no matter which side of the crime scene tape our clients must cross to find us to begin to heal.
My son murdered his sister three months after his 13th birthday. For his birthday I sat down and composed a list that summed up 13 things loving him had taught me. Three years later my son turned 16 in the custody of the Texas Youth Commission. I could not bake him a cake, throw him a party, teach him to drive, take him to get a driver's license, or marvel over what an impressive and amazing man my child had grown to be. So I sat down and added three more to his list and mailed it to him. I'd like to share with you what my son taught me about love.
To my beloved son on his 13th birthday…13 things loving you has taught me…
1. Live in the here and now. The past cannot be changed and the future is yours for the creating.
2. Live without limits but set boundaries.
3. Love boldly yet carefully.
4. Be mindful of others dreams and aspirations. Offer support and encouragement often.
5. Know your limits. Trust your instinct. Do not be afraid to draw lines in the sand.
6. Follow your yellow brick road...it always knows where you need to be.
7. Stop & listen to the silence occasionally to remind your self that life is not always as it seems.
8. Trust until given a reason not to. Help until you are being taken advantage of.
9. Hold no regrets: life is too short and you are the sum of all your experiences, both good and bad.
10. Never be afraid to admit your mistakes or apologize for them. You will be a better man then most because of it.
11. Try not to let the actions of a few jade your opinion of all.
12. Good manners will take you farther then any amount of money or talent.
13. When all else fails remind yourself that this is your life and you have to live it the way you feel is best.
To my beloved son on his 16th birthday--it is has been a long hard trip getting here but I would not change any of it--what is, is. You still teach me so much about love so here are three more for your list….
1. Always let love be your guide and light at the end of the your tunnel.
2. As long as you keep breathing, you can survive anything. Even if you quit, you survive everything anyway.
3. No matter who you are, no matter what you have done, no matter what you may do, I always have and I always will love you to the stars and back
If we must fight it is time to fight for justice. If we must fight it is time to fight for humanity. If we must fight the only weapons we should arm ourselves with are empathy, compassion, and love. These are the only weapons that will make our world a better and more humane place to exist.
Charity Lee
Executive Director
"Love your children well....." ~~ Me
******************
Landen's Papa sponsored the memorial you manage for Ella Bennett
Thank you Landen's Papa for your sponsorship.
Eddieb
************************************************************
.
