Ressie Marie Bennett

Ressie Marie Hathcock Bennett was born on January 14, 1934, in Hohenwald, Tennessee, on a stump, or so she said. She went to be with the Lord on February 18, 2023. She was 89 years old. She was known as Ressie to her friends, Mother to her children, and Big Mama to everyone else.

She is survived by her son Ricky Bennett, daughters Johnnie Gaskill (husband Michael), Pamela Valle, Angela Smith (husband Guary), granddaughters Brandie Gwaltney and Heather Beck, grandsons Frank and Brian Bennett, Cristen Simpson, James and Josh Bennett, brother Vernie Hathcock (wife Wanda), and sister Merle Brown-Goucher. Ressie is also survived by her 14 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Sam Dewey and Ophia Ophelia Hathcock, her husband Arnold Dee (Bud), 8 brothers, 3 sisters, 1 daughter-in-law, and 1 son-in-law.

Ressie was the fifth child of 14 – 9 boys and 5 girls. She grew up farming with her family in Tennessee. She often told stories of all the places they had lived and the cotton they picked. Every time someone complained, she would say “it’s easier than picking cotton.” She met her husband, Bud, at a school dance and was soon married. After their home in Tennessee burned, they moved to Houston, Texas. Buying a house in South Houston she said, “I am never moving again.” She remained there, where she raised her family, for 55 years until Hurricane Harvey forced her to abandon her home. Her last 5 years were spent comfortably in a condo in Pasadena, Texas, where she often remarked about how lucky she was and what great neighbors she had.

She was widowed while the children were still young and having to support the family, she started working as a waitress and would continue serving loyal customers for over 50 years, retiring at 82. She worked for Monterey House for most of those years, forming lasting friendships and memories.

Family meant everything to her and was always her priority. She was the grandmother that rode the rides at Astroworld when the parents would not. She loved fishing, gardening, and cooking, just ask anyone she fed.

Although she rarely attended church as an adult, she had a strong faith and love for the Lord. She often shared Bible stories, hymns, and prayers with her great grandchildren, and said her prayers nightly.

She was strong, determined, and stubborn. She is now in Heaven with her loved ones and absolutely doing it her way!

A visitation for Ressie will be held Monday, February 27, 2023 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A funeral service will occur Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at 2:00 pm and a committal to follow. All services will be held at Forest Park East Funeral Home and Cemetery, located at 21620 Gulf Freeway in Webster, Texas 77598. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared below for the Bennett family.