A celebration of life for Beverly Mae Bennett, 78, Lawrence, will be 1:00 pm. Saturday, June 10th at 1013 E 1256 Rd.
She was born 19 December 1938 to Roy Gerald and Wanda Roselee (Dayton) Bennett in Gooding, Idaho. She spent most of her child hood in Four Lakes, Washington and graduated from Cheney High School in Cheney Washington.
Beverly’s first car was a 1957 Chevy Convertible which she was extremely proud of. She was fiercely independent, driving across the country to visit siblings many times as a young woman in this car. She followed her brother Floyd to the Lexington and Higginsville Missouri area to live and then later in life moving to Nevada Missouri. She worked two jobs, but her main job was in intuitions with the Mentally Challenged and retired from the Nevada State Hospital after 30 years. She was an extreme Elvis fan and sports fan, cheering in Kansas and Kansas State athletics, Royals, Chiefs, as well as watching local dirt track (cheering on car XJr) and NASCAR races especially Jeff Gordon.
Beverly was able to love unconditionally, caring for nieces, nephews, unofficially adopting her daughter’s friends as well as others. She enjoyed playing cards, games and drinking her favorite drink Pepsi. Affectionately known to her grandchildren as Nana, she followed her family into Kansas when her grandchildren were small, and passed away on 5 June 2017 in Baldwin City, Kansas after a short illness.
Beverly is survived by her daughter Teresa Butell and husband Brad. Four grandchildren, Lucas Charles Straub, Nathaniel Dean Straub, Alexandria Grace Straub, and Michael Solomon Shawn Straub. One sister Billie Jo Barner and husband Keith, Bozeman, Montana, and one brother Michael Bennett and wife Carolyn, Las Vegas, Nevada.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her son Shawn Taylor Rakes, Sisters: Betty Davis and Shirlee Hampton, Brothers: Bobby Bennett and Floyd “Ben” Bennett.
This was my Aunt Bev, who as a little girl, took me on adventures in her car, had Elvis blaring pretty much all the time, and shared her sodas with me. She was loved by all who knew her and is probably doing all these things in a better place. I’ll see you in heaven, Aunt Bev!
Beverly was one special lady whom was like a second mom to me. She was a very hard working mother to make sure Teresa was taken care of and was given a good life. She would do anything for you if you needed it. She loved Teresa, her grandkids, and Teresa’s friends like they were her own. I talked to Beverly not too long ago when she was in the hospital and so glad that I did and out conversation was very special. Even being sick she was trying to be her onry self. She’s one special person that I will never forget and have alot of fond memories. Wish we would have lived closer to see each other more but so thankful she was in my life when I was younger. May she rest in peace and may all her wonderful memories help her wonderful family get through this. She will always be looking down on them to make sure they are taken care of just as she always did.
Many memories of Good-Times spent with Mom, (I’m an unofficially adopted daughter). She was a Rare Jewel found with a Treasure. Those who welcomed her, as did I, were provided a lifetime wisdom which came from real truths. Mom was a, ‘Very Independent Woman,” long before her time, and the advice she gave came from having lived & experienced the situation of topic. She taught her girls the same independence, “for we never know when we will need it,” was her belief. She will be missed, for she touched the lives of many. Thank you Teresa, for sharing your mom with a handful of girls who needed her. A Mom with the ability to be an adult, mixed with enough knowledge to get through to her teenaged girls without offense.
R.I.P Mother Bev!
We remember Beverly very fondly as our renter and friend. She was a lovely lady. RIP, Beverly.
Teresa, I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom was a very sweet lady!