Margaret Jean (Cochran) Bennett passed peacefully on Tuesday, June 11, 2019 at North Mississippi Medical Center after an extended illness. She was 83 years of age. Miss Jean, as she was affectionately known, was born on July 5, 1935 to Earl Bonner Cochran and Clara Nunley Cochran of the Thrasher community. She graduated from Thrasher High School and received today’s equivalent of an Associate’s Degree in business administration from Northeast Mississippi Community College. She married Billy Bennett on June 26, 1958.
Miss Jean’s first job was as a secretary and receptionist for Mr. E.O. Wroten, at WBIP radio station in Booneville. She remembered those times fondly, especially the live shows when Elvis or Johnny Cash would stop by the station to perform a few songs. “Elvis was such a nice young man”, she would say, “and Johnny always brought his family with him.” The majority of her career was spent in the banking business. She began with Prentiss County Home Bank, then the Bank of Mississippi. When Billy had a job opportunity in Georgia, the family moved and Miss Jean worked as a secretary to the Superintendent of the Morgan County School Corporation. Upon returning to Booneville in 1976 she joined The People’s Bank and Trust Company, now Renasant Bank, as a loan and executive secretary. She remained there until retirement 2000.
Miss Jean was a natural people person and from her many years in the bank she seemed to know everyone, forgetting no one. Moreover, she was a devoted, “old school” wife, mother, grandmother and aunt. Her essence was most eloquently captured and recounted by her eldest granddaughter:
“She was a graceful role model and forgiving teacher, our greatest confidant, biggest cheerleader, favorite cook, kindest friend, warmest hugger, safest place and sweetest comfort. She faced adversity with grace and poise that are uncharacteristic of this world and treated everyone exceptionally. She made sure we knew we were loved and cared for. She was everything you could dream of in a ‘Mamaw’”.
She loved traveling, camping and boating, and she and Billy did so extensively. She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Booneville, always ready to serve as needed, but could most frequently be found in the Kitchen with “the girls”.
Miss Jean is survived by her husband of 60 years, Billy; her son, Ronald (Brandi) Bennett of Boonville, IN; her daughter, Beverly (Trent) Hill of Booneville; her five grandchildren - Allison (Ethan) Blacksher of Cuba, MO, Christian Bennett of Evansville, IN, Reed Hill of Booneville, Jaden Bennett and Mia Bennett of Boonville, IN; her brother, Ray Cochran of Rienzi; her niece, Mitzi (Gene) Mills of Middleton, TN; her cousin, Perry Walden of Booneville and her Georgia family: Emory, Marinell, Tammy & Dee Dee Thompson of Rutledge, GA and Bonnie, Nancy & Lynn Peters of Monroe, GA.
Visitation will be held at McMillan Funeral Home in Booneville Friday from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Memorial service will also be at McMillan at 11:00 Saturday morning, followed by internment at Meadow Creek Cemetery. Reverends Bobby Hankins and Tim Sisk will be officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude or charity of choice.
