Bennie H Langston

To everyone around her, Bennie seemed to be eternally happy, and she willingly shared that joy with anyone whose life she touched. For Bennie, bringing out the best in any situation was as easy as offering a smile, a witty remark or the twinkle of an eye. And with just those simple gestures, she could evoke the most pleasant of emotions. Bennie really mastered the art of living and had great fun in doing so.

      Bennie was born on June 13, 1922 at home in Medart, Florida and delivered by the local midwife, Mrs. Spartman. Her parents were Benjamin Franklin Tucker and Emily Katherine Posey Tucker. Bennie was raised in Medart Florida and North Charleston South Carolina. Even as a child, Bennie had the ability to lift the spirits of all those around her. She was raised to be warm, caring and friendly. She couldn’t help but capture everyone’s attention. She was definitely a little bit of a show off, but in doing so, she succeeded in entertaining her entire family.

      Bennie had 5 younger siblings. She had 3 brothers, one that died as an infant and two younger brothers, Archie and Clifton. Two younger twin sisters, Annie and Nannie.

      Ask anyone who knew her from school and they would tell you that Bennie really enjoyed school sports. She won an award for high jump and enjoyed field sports and basketball. It could be said that for Bennie, grades may not have been the most important thing to her, but she really did enjoy her school experience. She enjoyed hands-on learning and applying the “practical” approach to knowledge, rather than getting caught up in “theory. She enjoyed some courses more than others. When Bennie's family moved to South Carolina, she stayed in Medart with Sam and Ruby Barwick in order to finish high school.

      Bennie never actually encountered a stranger in her dealings with people. She was drawn to individuals and crowds, using her gregarious, adaptable and outgoing personality to captivate her audience. This quality allowed Bennie to continually develop new relationships, ever widening her circle of friends. Bennie delighted in her role among all her acquaintances, because she viewed them all as potential friends. Whether it was a story, a joke, a song or just plain fooling around, Bennie was always right at home putting on a show among her friends. Bennie utilized her interest in others as a great way to connect with them. While growing up, some of her best friends were Hazel Langston, Dorothy Whaley, Alethia Piggot,and Dorothy Mc Glocken. Later in life, she became friends with Miriam and James Taylor,Sarah Driggers, Marie and Jack Morgan, Bennie and Ellen Wiggins, John and Marilyn Glover, Gloria Dean, Bob Ketchum, and many from her church. Bennie loved sharing life and having her home filled with people she knew.

      The gift of being emotionally expressive and outwardly affectionate made Bennie very easy to approach. On April 11, 1942 Bennie exchanged wedding vows with John Howard Langston Jr. at her Mom and Dad's home of North Charleston, South Carolina. Bennie met John when he was hired to help put a roof on the Tucker home. Her brother Archie told her, "You are going to marry that man", to which Bennie replied, " I am not going to marry that ugly bum". The union between Bennie and John would last for the next 57 and a half years with John's death on Feb. 9, 1999 being the only thing that ended this union. Bennie never remarried.

      Perhaps the reason Bennie related so well to children was the fact that she never really completely grew up herself. The ability to be just a “kid at heart” helped her in raising her own children. Bennie was blessed with 3, one son, Archie Howard, now deceased and two daughters, Bennie Annette and Martha Jean. She was also blessed with blessed with 4 grandchildren, John, Tina, Tammy Fetterolf and Allen Brazier II. Bennie had the ability to focus her attention on the present moment. If she was spending time with the kids, that’s where all of her attention was directed. Although Bennie loved and had fun with her children, grandchildren, their friends and children in the neighborhood she was a strict disciplinarian. She expected all of the children to show her respect and to listen and obey what she told them. If not, a butt "whippin" was in store for them. Even though she was strict in this area, the children still loved and respected the woman they all called "Granny" because they knew she loved them. Some of these neighborhood "kids" and some of her grandkids served as her pallbearers.

      At work, as in life, Bennie was a real “people person.” She had a very successful way of dealing effectively with others, and her enthusiasm and energy was often contagious. When dealing with various projects and problems, Bennie was an adaptable realist, using her common sense and trusting her experiences and impulses to uncover the correct answer. Bennie's talent for being a down to earth thinker, allowed many around her to see Bennie as an excellent problem solver. Her primary occupation was Domestic Engineer which she held for 57 and a half years, she also worked at Miriam's Ceramic shop in Deer Park for several years.

      Bennie enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. An “arts and crafts” type, Bennie liked creating and making things. Her favorite pursuits were gardening, crocheting, embroidering, canning, cooking, camping, making ceramics. Bennie was content to enjoy her hobbies alone but was also willing to share her interests with others. Bennie was a wonderful cook and was well known for her fish stew, pear butter, and her pineapple pie.

      Bennie felt excited and challenged by sports. Even if she wasn’t the best, Bennie loved to participate and thoroughly enjoyed the competition and the pleasure of being around other people. Bennie relished the opportunities where she could make an impact, and she would often push herself to play above her abilities. A quick thinker who understood the basics, Bennie never seemed to get caught off guard, even when confronted with unexpected conflict. In high school, Bennie played Field sports and basketball. Recreational sports included anything her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids wanted her to do. She even taught some of them to climb trees. Bennie was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching her favorite events whenever she got the opportunity. Tops on her list were baseball and basketball.

      Bennie had an endless appetite for new and different activities. She was always ready to join in the fun and add her flair and energy to an organization. Because of her personality, her humor, and her ability to get along with everyone, Bennie's service was greatly valued by the organizations to which she belonged. Bennie was an active member of the Deer Park Baptist Church for about 69 years and made sure that her children attended Sunday school and church. During the construction of Deer Park Church Bennie and her children served food and drinks to the workers and even hauled cinder blocks to help the crew. She was involved in helping with cooking, serving and cleaning up at church events. She was a member of the Dorcas Sunday School class. She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary.

      Vested with a deep concern for spiritual development, Bennie recognized that her faith was important to her throughout her life. During her later years Bennie attended New Beginnings Worship Center (Pentecostal) in Moncks Corner, SC. She was also a member of the Presbyterian Ladies Bible Study and the Belle Isle Garden Club in Pineville, SC.

      Being so full of life it is no surprise that Bennie loved to travel and to visit new and different places. She was naturally curious about other parts of the country and loved the real life adventure that came from visiting them. She was impulsive and willing to try anything once. Favorite vacations included any where she went. She especially enjoyed going out west and a trip to Mexico.

      Bennie was a lover of animals and cherished her pets, enjoying them almost as much as she enjoyed being around other people. One of Bennie's favorites was Bubbles Poo, pekingese dog. They were best friends for 6 years. Her family was rounded out by John's cockatiel bird.

      Bennie passed away on October 21, 2015 at Trident Regional Medical Center from natural causes. She is survived by her children, Annette (Wayne) Fetterolf and Martha(Gene) Brazier, her grand children, John (Michelle) Fetterolf, Tina (Robert)Neumann, Tammy (Brian) Snyder,and Allen(Mary) Brazier II, 12 great grandchildren, and 8 great great grandchildren, brother Archie(Dee) Tucker and sister Annie Tucker. Services were held at Carolina Memorial Garden and service was conducted by Pastor Ralph Mullins. Bennie was laid to rest in Carolina Memorial Garden in North Charleston, South Carolina beside her soulmate, John.

      Bennie brought joy to all of those around her. She never had a mean bone in her body. She loved to have a good time and was an eternal optimist, always looking on the bright side of things. She loved to share her energy, wit, and her zest for all of her activities with her friends and family. Bennie H Langston lived life to its fullest and made everyone around her happier just for knowing her. She will be remembered with lots of love and a smile. RIP our dear Mom, "Granny", and friend!