James Preston Bennett

James Preston “Buddy” Bennett, age 88, of Normangee went to be with his Lord on Saturday, April 29, 2017 surrounded by his loving family. A time for the family to receive friends will be Monday, May 1, 2017 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Cozart Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at Flynn Baptist Church at 10:00 am with Rev. Ray Payne, Rev. Dee Black, pastor and Larry Andrews officiating. Interment will follow at Gum Springs Cemetery.

James was born June 27, 1928 in Cuero, Tx. to James Preston and Emma K. (Williams) Bennett. He was married to the love of his life, Flo (Jennings) Bennett. He worked many years for Dow Chemical as a brick mason.

His dad named him “Buddy”. He would say “this is my little buddy” helping me feed turkeys, chickens and carry the milk bucket for the cows. As a boy and a young man he loved to fish and hunt. Buddy went to church with his sister Lula and at the age of 19 asked Christ into his life. He heard Freddie Gage preaching and was moved to salvation.

Buddy was a simple man, humble and genuine. He exuberated the epitome of country folk charm. Often he was heard saying, what’s your hurry, what you running off for? No matter how long you had been at his home.

Buddy was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, Myrtle Ruth Long, Lula Adair Barber, Evelyn Rae Bilberry and Emma Jean Cason and two brothers, Kirksey Irvin Bennett and Gilbert Ray Bennett as well as a son Marcus James Bennett.

He is survived by his wife Flo Bennett of Normangee, a son Bowen “Bo” and wife Arrana Bennett of Normangee, daughter Suzanne and husband Ray Payne of Jewett. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren, Brent Payne, Amber and husband Chris Generale, Erin and husband John Snook, Skyler and wife Haley Bennett, Faith and husband Justin Palmer, Kelly and husband Peyton Newsom, Jaclyn and husband Colton Renfro and Haley and husband Louis Martinez. Also left behind from his passing are his twenty one “and two on the way” great grandchildren.