Schelvia Bennett

and

Schelvia (Sam) Watkins Bennett

Bobby Ben Bennett, 82, of Oak Island passed away on February 26, 2017 at Dosher Memorial Hospital in Southport, North Carolina. He was born on November 28, 1934 in Reidsville, North Carolina. His parents were Benjamin Franklin Bennett and Evelyn Terrell Bennett. He had two brothers; Edwin A. Bennett and Billy Bennett; two sisters; Ann Bennett Hardy and Peggy Bennett Knopp; numerous nieces and nephews.

Bobby was an Industrial Engineer and owned IEM Plastics, Inc. in Reidsville, North Carolina and American Recycled Plastics, Inc. in Eden, North Carolina. He designed and built machinery for many prominent textile companies. He also built some of the first and most innovative plastic recycling machinery in the state. IEM Plastics grew to become one of the top plastic nursery container suppliers in the southeast using recycled materials instead of virgin plastic.

Bobby inherited the love of flying airplanes from his father, Benjamin. He built and flew a helicopter and ultralight airplanes. He eventually received his private pilot license and purchased his own twin engine airplane which he flew for business and leisure.

Bobby was a former member of The Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks.

As an avid fisherman, Bobby spent a great deal of time deep sea fishing with many friends and family members over the years. He designed and built (along with his cousin, Rodney Hill of Thomasville, North Carolina) an eighty foot, three story aluminum pontoon boat which received media attention. After his retirement to Oak Island, Bobby opened Oak Island Marine and Machine Shop on Old Bridge Road. There he continued to manage his small machine shop and work on boats and engines. And, at the age of 82, he planned to retire and continue fishing to "catch the big one".

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Schelvia (Sam) Watkins Bennett, 79, of Oak Island passed away on May 13, 2017 at Lower Cape Fear Hospice in Wilmington, North Carolina. She was born on May 21, 1937 in Reidsville, North Carolina. Her parents were Rufus Holson Watkins and Bessie Mae Knight Watkins. She had three brothers; Rufus H. Watkins, Jr, Franklin D. Watkins and William H. Watkins; two sisters; Elizabeth Watkins Taylor and Dorothy Watkins Clymer; numerous nieces and nephews.

Schelvia worked as a secretary for The American Red Cross in Reidsville, North Carolina. She was a volunteer Girl Scout leader. She then became employed by The Rockingham County Clerk of Courts.

After her husband, Bobby, opened IEM Plastics, she became a bookkeeper for the family business. She retired in 1987 due to health problems.

After her retirement and move to Oak Island, Schelvia, who liked to be called "Sam", volunteered at a local women's shelter thrift shop and enjoyed walking on the beach collecting shells. She had a strong love of animals and spent her last years spoiling and caring for her beloved dogs Molly B, Starr and Bree.

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Bobby and Schelvia were both enthusiastic and talented golfers. They won many tournaments in Reidsville, North Carolina, Eden, North Carolina and the surrounding area. They were local celebrities when Bobby won the Men's Championship at Pennrose Park Country Club in Reidsville and Schelvia won the Ladies’ Championship at the same time. Articles in local papers proclaimed this a rare occurrence.

Bobby and Schelvia were married on August 14, 1954. They had one daughter, Teresa (Terry) Cheryll Bennett and one granddaughter, Sydney Elisabeth Napier and husband, Mark Allen Napier.

The family would like to thank Dr. Terry Pieper and staff, Dr. Domenic Palagruto and staff, Dr. Walter Gajewski and staff, The Dosher Memorial Hospital ER staff and the staff of New Hanover Regional Medical Center. We especially want to send special blessings to the volunteers and staff of The Lower Cape Fear Hospice in Wilmington, North Carolina for being the most caring, patient and amazing people we have ever encountered. They truly have been called to their profession.

A memorial service for Bobby and Schelvia will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, May 27, 2017 at Peacock-Newnam and White Funeral and Cremation Service, 1411 North Howe Street, Southport, North Carolina 28461.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please make donations to: Paws Place, Inc., 3701 East Boiling Spring Road, Winnabow, North Carolina 28479.

Online condolences may be made at www.peacocknewnamwhite.com.

Peacock - Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service, Southport.