Bennett Myers Jr.

Bennett grew up in southwestern Winston-Salem and attended Friedberg Moravian Church and Griffith High School, where he was student council president. He graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 1956 with a degree in English and then served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1958.

Bennett met the love of his life, Mary Alice Griffin, at UNC, and they married in 1962. In 1963, Bennett earned a master’s degree in social work from Richmond Professional Institute (now VCU). Together, Bennett and Alice raised two sons, Raleigh and Peter.

Bennett began his career in social work in Concord, New Hampshire. His career also took the family to Chapel Hill, Roanoke and Salem, Virginia, and Fayetteville. Bennett served as a psychiatric social worker with the Veterans Administration for 30 years. He made time to be a loving husband, hands-on father, active community member, and faithful Moravian.

In the early 1990s, Bennett began writing poetry. He found this passion through the Men’s Movement and became an active member of the Triangle Men’s Center, now called the North Carolina Men’s Council. These men supported him, walked with him, built him up. The friendships Bennett formed with them were incredibly important. With their fellowship, Bennett lived his best, creative life.

Bennett wrote hundreds of poems. In 2016, he collected and published 90 poems in a book titled Across Time. He read from his book at Quail Ridge Books, the Regulator Bookshop, and McIntyre's Books in Fearrington Village. Bennett shared his poems aloud at countless dinners, parties, and other art events. Every reading was filled with wit and heart, every audience delighted.

In 2000, Bennett and Alice built a home in the Solterra community in Durham. Bennett was a fixture in the community garden, pulling weeds and giving away tomatoes. He and Alice hosted arts cafe nights and forever treasured their neighborhood friends.

In 2024, they moved to the Cardinal retirement community in Raleigh to be closer to their sons and families.

Bennett joins his wife, Alice; parents, Grady and Lena; and sister Betty Reid in the church triumphant. He leaves behind brother David; sister Mary Frances; son Raleigh and wife Jenni; son Peter and wife Jennifer; granddaughters Evelyn and Lily; and many, many close friends and family members.

Bennett collected words, music, antique furniture, and friends. We remember him as a beloved poet, light bearer, and truth-teller.

Bennett’s memorial service will take place on Saturday, November 7 at 11 am at Raleigh Moravian Church, 1816 Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC 27607. A reception will follow, with a time for sharing favorite stories and memories. Before the service, the family will have a private burial in God's Acre at Oakwood Historic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Raleigh Moravian Church, 1816 Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC 27607 or The North Carolina Men’s Council, an organization that builds authentic relationships through circles, mentorship, transformational gatherings, and service: https://www.themenscouncil.org/.

Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh is serving the Myers family.