Bennie Louise Hawk Bynum

Born May 23, 1929 in Drumright, Oklahoma to Ollie Quint and Beulah Hawk, she lived all but the first 8 months of her childhood in Texas. Growing up in the oilfield, she lived several different places in and around White Oak but remained in the East Texas area, graduating high school in 1946 from White Oak.

In August of 1947, on a blind date, she met her future husband, Maxie Wayne Bynum, known by Mack to most, and on December 28th of that same year was married, in Gladewater, Texas. In a short time, they started a family and a little girl, Janet Kay, was born and two years later a little boy, Jay Wayne. She loved being a wife and mother and her children were her pride and joy until the day she died. During those early years of marriage, Mack, an employee of Tyler based Fair Oil, was transferred several times. In 1954 he was sent to Oklahoma for what was intended to be a 6 month job, but turned out to be almost 13 years. Bennie made lifelong friends there and when they moved back to Texas in 1966 she left a big part of her heart with them. They spent a short time in Marshall but in 1968 moved to Tyler where she enrolled and completed a 9 month course at Tyler Federal Business Institute. Upon graduating she began working, for the Tyler Chief of police as his secretary. She had held several different jobs over the years from a shoe salesman to being a clerk for a water dept., but being trained as a secretary, she found her place in the working world. They purchased some land and a home in Whitehouse in 1971, but continued working for the Chief for several years. She would live the remaining years of her life on the ‘Bynum Compound’ as it was fondly named.

In August of 1989, her beloved husband of 41 years died and she was left alone, but was determined to live the rest of her life with joy and grace. During the almost 28 years following his death she worked the majority of the time as secretary for the University Church of Christ. She loved her job there, but to her it wasn’t a job it was a ministry. She could do what she did the best, love people and the Lord, by serving others. Up until she broke her ankle in 2015, she had only missed 3 days in 13 years!

Bennie loved to read, fish, research family history, and FB. Not too many 87 year old people are as technology savvy as she was! She also loved taking little trips, one of her favorite places being Branson, and she went as often as she could, with her sweet friend Juanita. She was a loving wife and mother, a sweet and fun grandmother and a caring and precious great grandmother. She was called Mom, Honey, Grandma, Mimi and friend but the name she cherished the most was child of God. She loved Him with all her heart, having a clear understanding that this world was not her home. Her sight was ever focused on Heaven, knowing that one day her time here would be over. Tuesday morning was her appointed time and now she will forever be in the presence of her Creator whom she loved so much.

Bennie was preceded in death by her parents, Ollie and Beatrice, brother Clint and wife, Wanda, who was a beloved friend, husband, Mack a daughter-in-law Jackie Bynum and grandchildren Joanna and Joshua Bynum.

She leaves behind her daughter, Janet Faulkner and husband Bill, son Jay Bynum and wife Debbie. Granddaughters, Amy Moody, Caysi McDonald and husband Dustin and Cayti Hart and husband Scottie, all of Whitehouse .A grandson, Austin Faulkner and wife Angela of Purmela, Texas and also a grandson, in Houston, Caleb Bynum

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Westview Boys Home, Hollis Oklahoma, Hospice of East Texas Home Place or the charity of your choice.

Family will receive family and friends Thursday at Lloyd James Funeral Home from 6-8 and services will be held at University Church of Christ 11114 Spur 248, Tyler Texas at 10 AM Friday, officiated by Neil Thurman and Jason Stapleton, with interment at Whitehouse City Cemetery.