Phyllis Van Patten Bennett

Phyllis Van Patten Bennett was born February 6, 1926, to Everett Van Patten and Irene Patnoe Van Patten in Oklahoma City, OK. Her family lived in Dallas, TX and she graduated from Highland Park High School in 1943. Following high school, she attended Monticello College in Godfrey, IL for one year. She moved with her mother and father to March Field in Riverside, CA. for two years. Following her father’s military service at March Field, the family moved to Norman, OK where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Oklahoma. She met her husband, Owen Bennett at OU, where they courted and married. They moved to Great Bend, KS with Owen’s business and started their family with their first child, Linda Lucille Bennett (Brinkworth) in 1951. Eighteen months later, Linda was joined by sister, Lyle Elizabeth Bennett (husband Bill Thornton), now living in Fort Worth, TX. Their son, Robert Owen Bennett Jr. (wife Linda) of Arlington, TX was born 2 years after that while the family was living in Tulsa, OK. Several moves later, the family settled in Oklahoma City, OK, where the children grew up attending Putnam City Schools. They, and all their friends, will remember the fresh oatmeal chocolate chip cookies readily available for any visit to the Bennett’s home.

Phyllis spent time with her Kappa Kappa Gamma friends from OU, as well as volunteering at her home church, Grace United Methodist Church. She sang with a group of women called Color Tones. Phyllis commuted to OU with a neighbor to pursue and earn a Master of Library Science degree while her children were growing up and still managed great meals and a happy home life while studying. She became the Medical Librarian at Baptist Hospital and enjoyed researching articles for physicians until her retirement in 1982. Ultimately, she served as the President of the National Medical Librarian Association.

Her retirement years were spent with family and friends, playing bridge, volunteering in her community, traveling with Owen, and offering her generosity to several Oklahoma City Charities. She was proud of her four grandchildren: Steven Brinkworth (Victoria and great grandson Jaylen), Taylor Mayeaux (great grandson Bennett), Katie Hobson (Michael) and Barry Bennett (Afton and great grandsons Owen, Wesley and Brady). She was aunt to many nieces and nephews, and friend to countless. Phyllis and Owen moved into Epworth Villa twenty-two years ago, gaining many special friends.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Neighborhood Services Organization in OKC, Infant Crisis Center in OKC, St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in OKC, or the Oklahoma Community Foundation Bennett Family Scholarship Fund.

We wish to extend heartfelt thanks to Epworth Villa Staff, Mercy Hospice, and Home Instead Home Care for the excellent and compassionate care mom received

Phyllis’s family is keenly aware of the continuing challenges of the Covid virus and requests that those who attend, please wear a mask. If you are unable to attend, you may live stream the service at http://stlukesokc.online.church

SERVICES FOR MRS. BENNETT HAVE BEEN POSTPONED. PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR AN UPDATED TIME AND DATE. THANK YOU.