Linda Melissa Bowden Bennett

On April 24th, surrounded by her loving family, my dear wife Linda Melissa Bennett, went to plan new adventures in heaven with her best friend, Susan. Linda was a major force in the lives of all who knew her, especially her family. She believed in having a strong family and helping those less fortunate than herself.

Born August 8, 1946, Linda met her husband, George Bennett, in high school and they have been together ever since. They graduated from the University of Georgia on the same day in 1967 and began their life journey a month later, September 9th when they were married. They soon left for their first assignment in the Air Force at Keesler, Air Force Base, Mississippi. They then moved to Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma where Linda taught middle school until their first son, George III (Geb) was born. Linda returned to her mother’s house in Georgia with Geb while George was assigned to Kunsan Air Base, Korea. Fourteen months later they had a short, two-year assignment to Warner Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. They enjoyed being, once again, together near their home. Linda was active in the officer’s wives club and hosted events at their house. They were reassigned to Germany, July 1974, where their second son, Guy, was born. In Germany Linda taught Army soldiers Basic Skills and Education, a very rewarding undertaking for Linda. She also taught math there with Temple University.

She moved back to Yorktown, Virginia with her husband, where she lived for forty-one years, raised their two sons, established many, many dear friends and dedicated her life to working in the community, helping the less fortunate, and supporting local fundraisers. One such organization, The Natasha House, was her passion. She organized many fundraisers over the years and worked with the residents and their children on a number of learning projects. She became loving friends with the director, Mrs. Karen Brown, and co-advocates, Phyllis Henderson, Darla Krupski, and Helen Cvik.

Linda loved flowers and plants and organized numerous garden tours and plant sales to raise money to support events in Yorktown, under the Celebrate Yorktown Committee. Linda loved playing bridge and participated in three bridge groups. More than just bridge buddies, her partners in crime were loving life-long friends.

Linda’s family genes were strongly oriented toward business acumen. She was the owner and sole operator of the Yorktown Shoppe on Main Street in Yorktown. This enterprise allowed her to fully immerse herself in the little village, neighborhood, and the neighbors she so loved. She enjoyed the history of Yorktown and was a life member of the American Friends of Lafayette. Linda was a wonderful seamstress and crafts person. She made many of the items for The Yorktown Shoppe and numerous fundraisers.

Anyone who knew Linda knew her absolute and undying love of University of Georgia football. Gooo Dawgs.

Linda is preceded in death by her mother, Dorothy Kenney Bowden, father, Guy Orr Bowden, brother, Charles Bowden, and sister Garland Bowden Oaks. She is survived by her husband George E. Bennett Jr., sons, George E. Bennett III and wife Julie Tavenner, Guy O. Bennett and wife Kristie Bennett, grand-daughter Autumn Bennett, and grandsons Nicolas Bennett, Connor Tavenner, and Eric Bennett.

A visitation will be held at the Bernstein Funeral Home, 3195 Atlanta Hwy., Athens, at six o’clock in the evening on Wednesday, May 4th.

A procession to the graveside service at Evergreen Memorial Park in Athens will begin at the Bernstein Funeral Home on Thursday, May 5th at eleven o’clock. After the service, a memorial will be held at the Prospect United Methodist Church off the Tallassee Road, Athens, Georgia at one o’clock. Following the memorial, a gathering of friends and family will be held in the fellowship hall at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Natasha House, 124 Goodwin Neck Rd Grafton, Virginia 23692.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.