Ray Bennett

Obituary Rev. Ray Earl Bennett, PhD, 75, passed away on Friday, February 3, 2012 in Hillsboro, TX. after a short illness. Ray was born June 27, 1936, to Earl Rayford and Flora Beatrice Bennett in Corpus Christi, TX. Ray is survived by his wife of 52 years, Frances Jeane Havard Bennett. Ray met Frances at Baylor University and they were married in 1959. Other survivors include children: Barton Ray Bennett of Houston, TX and Belynda Kay Bennett of Giddings, TX. Grandchildren: Nicole Bennett Cahill, Gary Scott Bennett, Kevin Peter Bennett, Brandi Michelle Bennett, Brandon Alexander Bennett. Great grandchildren: Bailey Elizabeth Bennett, and Caitlin Paige Cahill. Sisters: Glenda Lou Crowl of Tempe, AZ, Wanda Sue Altom of Hillsboro, TX, and Nelda Ruth Burney of Mabank, TX. Also surviving is brother-in-law Dr.Harold W. Havard and wife, Janice, Sister-in-law Lois Havard Carey and husband, Mike and many nieces, nephews, family members and friends. Ray's life reflected a commitment to God, church and community. He grew up in Corpus Christi, TX and faithfully attended Morgan Avenue Baptist Church. He accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior at the age of five following the bombing of Pear Harbor. The bombing had a profound influence in his life and he wanted to make sure he went to heaven if any thing happened to him. This commitment to God would remain with him throughout his life. In his youth, he was a tireless worker in his church and reached the highest rank in the Royal Ambassadors (a youth group dedicated to the study of missions). His commitment to community influenced him to reach the status of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts organization. He surrendered to the ministry at a young age and his church work became the love of his life along with his family and friends. He was a student of history and an avid stamp collector. Ray received his BA, MA, and PhD from Baylor University and held a Master's Degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. God called and used Ray in several areas of church work. His first pastorate was in Greenvine Baptist Church of Burton, TX. He also served as associate pastor of Parkdale Baptist Church of Corpus Christi, TX; associate pastor of The Woodlands Baptist Church in The Woodlands, TX. He served as pastor of Cherokee Baptist Church of Cherokee, TX. He also served in Live Oak Baptist Church of Live Oak, CA and as pastor of the First Southern Baptist Church of Pearl Harbor. Later, he returned to Greenvine Baptist Church to once again serve as pastor. His resume also included being a professor of religion and history at Howard Payne University and adjunct professor at Wayland Baptist University in Hawaii and Dallas Baptist University, Dallas, TX.

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