James Robert Bennett

James Robert Bennett, 68, of Simerson Road, went home to be with the lord on Saturday, September 11, 2010, at his home after an extended illness. The funeral will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, September 15, 2010, at Piedmont Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Darrell Cox officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Travis Farley, Mark Martin, wade Huffman, Rocky Gilkerson Sr., Mike Ferguson, and Henry Colen. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, September 14, 2010, at the funeral home. Mr. Bennett was born November 29, 1941, in Eccles, W.Va., to Norman Wilson and Annie Jewel Bennett. He attended Trap Hill High School in Glen Daniels, W.Va., was a former coal miner with Affinity Mines in Beckley, W.Va., and in 1986 he began his career with Leggett & Platt as a machine operator, after 17 years of dedication Mr. Bennett retired from there in 2003. He was married to Frances Huffman Bennett for 46 years. Throughout his life he enjoyed hunting, wood working collecting batman memorabilia, traveling and spending time with his family. He was a member of Trinity Baptist Church in Mocksville. After retiring he and his wife, Frances enjoyed traveling to the mountains, beach, going on cruises and spending time with their beloved grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, Norman Bennett; two brothers, Russell and Ronnie Bennett; and a sister, Patricia Kopec. His loved ones left behind are his wife, Frances Huffman Bennett of the home; his mother, Annie Jewel Bennett of Eccles, W.Va.; a son Norman Bennett of Clemmons; a daughter Susan Bennett of Lexington; three granddaughters, Desiree Milam, Danielle Milam, both of Lexington, and Angel Bennett of Clemmons; a great-grandson, Asheton Ball; two brothers, David Bennett of Lexington, Bobby Bennett of West Virginia; two sisters, Diane Berkible of Pennsylvania and Linda Farrell of Texas; and a lifelong friend Roger Dalton of Lexington.