Mr. Bennie L. Staten

Bennie attended elementary in Hiwannee, Mississippi and high school at Waynesboro Vocational High School in Waynesboro, Mississippi. Bennie attended Tyler Barber College in Little Rock, AK.

He was united in marriage June 6, 1963 to Annette Magee. To this union one son was born, Kevin Eugene, both preceded him in death.

He professed a faith in Christ at an early age and was a member of New Pilgrim Baptist Church in Hiwanne, MS. Bennie and Annette moved to Indianapolis, Indiana in 1963. He was baptized at Zion Hope Baptist Church.

He was employed by Tasty Bakery, Second Presbyterian Church, Silver Burdett Book Company and he retired from Jenn-Air. Bennie and his late wife Annette were co-owners of "The Grand" for over 10 years. As a young man Bennie loved to hunt and fish, and he prided himself in being able to tell a good "joke." Bennie was a man of few words, but when he spoke everyone listened. He was affectionately known as "Uncle Bennie" to everyone he came in contact with.

Bennie departed this life Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at the age of seventy-three. He leaves to cherish his memory: one daughter, Betty (Van) Wilson, Meridian, MS, granddaughters, Sydney Simone Staten, Indianapolis, IN, and Vankeila (Courtney) Haralson, Great Lakes, IL, grandson Van Wilson, II, Indianapolis, IN, step-grandson Alphone Futch, Indianapolis, IN; great-grandson, Marcus Haralson, great-granddaughter, Kourtney Haralson, of Great Lakes, IL; mother, Ruth Staten of Waynesboro, Mississippi; brothers, R. P. (Vonnie), Prince (Carolyn), and Bobby (Ada) Staten of Waynesboro, Mississippi, sister Wyvonia Yates (Jessie) of Indianapolis, Indiana and sister-in-laws, Susie Staten of Chicago, Illinois and Clora Murrell of Indianapolis, Indiana, brother-in-laws, Hugo Magee of Mt. Olive, Mississippi and Gus Magee of San Diego, California; godson James Strong; goddaughter, Yolanda King; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.