Annice Lawley Bennett

Annice Lawley Bennett, 100, of Crystal River, FL, passed away on Thurs., March 9, 2023 at Cypress Cove Care Center in Crystal River. A native of Albany, GA, she was born July 19, 1922 to James and Cora (Gibson) Lawley, one of two children. Upon graduation from high school, Annice worked at Turner Field in Albany as a supplies and requisitions specialist, where she met Frank Bennett, who would become her beloved husband of 59 years. They were married on July 22, 1944 at Trinity Church in Tallahassee, FL and Frank passed away on Aug. 29, 2003. Many years of Mrs. Bennett’s adult life were spent in Florida. Her homes during those years included Bradenton, Lake George in the Ocala National Forest, and Orange Springs. Annice and Frank observed the Methodist faith for many years of their lives and even held church services in their living room back in those days. Along with three other families in the area, and with the help of many private contributors, Annice and Frank were instrumental in establishing the Forest Community Church. Mrs. Bennett was a beautiful seamstress and made so many of her children’s clothes. She was an avid reader and could so easily get lost in a good book. She was also an antique collector. She actually had an antique shop that she ran out of their home on Lake George, which was called Annice's Attic Antiques. Not many knew but she cried almost every time she sold something. She truly did not like parting with her treasures! A perfect day for her would have been to sleep until ten, fix a nice breakfast for everyone and sit in the sun room and read! When Frank was living, a perfect day would involve the entire family being under one roof spending time together. In addition to her parents and beloved husband Frank, Annice was preceded in death by children Franklin Alexander Bennett, Jr., Stephen Ellis Bennett, William Matthew Bennett and John E. Bennett, as well as her sister Peggy Krjeci (husband Ron), formerly of Loudon, TN. Mrs. Bennett is survived by three children: Kim Bennett Laycock (husband Mike) of Crystal River; Elizabeth Bennett McCandless (husband Bruce), Port Orange, FL and Raymond Bennett (wife Dawn) of Mt. Dora, FL; daughter-in-law Cheryl Christmas (husband Bob) of Acworth, GA; 13 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. A Graveside Celebration Of Life will be held on Tues., March 14, 2023 at 1:00 P.M. at Manasota Memorial Park in Bradenton, FL. Annice’s family would like to thank Cypress Cove Care Center for the many years of care, compassion, kindness and love they showed to not only our Mama, but her entire family. We would mention you each by name if we could. Wilder Funeral Home, Homosassa, FL. www.wilderfuneral.com