Mildred Smith Bennight

Mildred Smith Bennight was the only child of Irvin Maurice Smith and Elizabeth Mae Donaho Smith. She grew up in Floresville, Poth, and Edcouch, Texas, where her father worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad. She was salutatorian of her high school class and studied music at Edinburgh Junior College and the University of Texas. By late 1942, the railroad had reassigned her father to Ingleside, Texas. Visiting her parents for Christmas, she was reading a book in the depot while her father worked. A Marine officer came to send a telegram and took an interest. She and Kenneth Lamar Bennight, Sr., were married October 1, 1943. A devoted Christian, she and Kenneth were charter members of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Corpus Christi. She began teaching piano in 1941 and continued until three weeks before her death. Her greatest joy was teaching her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She served as chair or in other roles for both local and state music teacher organizations. She taught over 74 years and was honored by the Music Teachers National Association. She loved the game of bridge. She researched and wrote three comprehensive genealogy books. A proud 5th generation Texan, Mildred was a long-standing member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the United Daughters of the Confederacy. She was preceded in death by her parents, Maurice and Elizabeth Smith and her husband, Kenneth Bennight, Sr. She is survived by her three children: Kenneth Bennight, Jr., and wife Susan; Craig Bennight and wife Johanna; Karen Wallace and husband Joe; as well as by eight grandchildren: Elizabeth Reed and husband Chris; Laura Bennight, Christopher Bennight, Andrea Ervin and husband and Dave, Erika Anderson and husband Josh; Joe Wallace III and wife Eboni; Caroline Wilson and husband Jon; and Courtney Wallace. She had fifteen great-grandchildren. The family thanks Sugar Land UMC and her dedicated caregivers Temmie, Rita, and Tammy. A Memorial service will be held at 1:00 P.M., Thursday, January 6, 2022, at Sugarland United Methodist Church. Interment will be at Seaside Memorial Cemetery, Corpus Christi, Texas, at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, January 8, 2022. Viewing will be at Funeraria del Angel-Everhart, 4901 Everhart Road, Corpus Christi, TX, from 5:00 to 7:00, Friday evening, January 7, 2022. Interment will be at Seaside Memorial Cemetery, 4357 Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi, Texas, at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, January 8, 2022. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.CageMillsFuneralDirectors.com for the Bennight family.