Ms. Ella Theola Bennett

attended elementary school and high school in Hempstead, Texas. She later moved to

Houston, Texas to live with her oldest sister to continue her high school education at Phyllis Wheatley.

She later enrolled in Nursing School at Houston Community College and received her certificate

as a Nurse’s Aide.

In her early years, she worked for Maxim’s Restaurant and in her later years for Allied Janitorial

Service part time and finished her career as a Home Health Care Provider. She met and married

Carl Bennett and to this union was born six children. She enjoyed birthday celebrations

for her children and grandchildren, Mother’s Day outing at Kemah, Thanksgiving and

Christmas Holidays. As her children became adults, she started the tradition of having

New Year’s dinner at her house. She enjoyed cooking pinto beans, cabbage, yams,

dressing with turkey wings, peach cobbler and exotic foods (coon, rabbit, squirrel,

possum). She always started her mornings with prayer and reading her Bible. After

she prayed and read her Bible, she would sit outside to enjoy Gods beautiful creation.

She was a very strong and independent woman.

The Bennett family joined Park Hill Church of God in Christ under the leadership of

Pastor E. J. Walter, where she dedicated her life to serving God. Ella was the president

of the Sunshine Band and enjoyed teaching and working with the children. Later the

Bennett family joined Houston Temple Church of God in Christ under the leadership of

Bishop C. H. Nelson.

In May 2013, she suffered a stroke and was hospitalized for several weeks. She was

later admitted to Afton Oaks Nursing Home for further health care treatment. She was

able to gain some of her mobility, but still required 24hour nursing care. She remained

there until her death on March 12, 2020.

She was preceded in death by her brothers: E. W., Martin, Burvis, Hardy and James

Williams; her sisters: Edna and Lucille Williams and Ida Mae Lawson; and her son:

Tommy Bennett.

She leaves to cherish her loving memories her children: Carolyn Bennett, Gloria Doby,

Joletta Bennett, Missionary Marilyn Morrison, and Carl Bennett, Jr.; grandchildren:

LaKeisha Morrison, Taron Morrison, Lautrice Tillman, Lawrence Tillman, Jr., and Destre

London, Tammy McCray (Michael) and Tanaisha Johnson (Darrell); nine great-

grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren; one sister: Ms. Aresia Houston;

sister-in-law, Vivian Williams; goddaughter: Bonnie Taylor; and a host of nieces,

nephews, and other relatives as well as many loving friends.