Marilyn Earl Bennett and Edna Jean Tennant
 

M.E. was born October 20, 1931 in the small community of Brown, Harrison Co., West Virginia, to:

Archie Earl Bennett and Stella Mae Anderson the eldest son of six siblings.

M. E. grew up and loved the small communities surrounding Lumberport where his family came to call home.

M. E. always enjoyed sharing the fond memories:

Of summers spent with his brothers in Seven Pines on his grandparents Russell Kenzy and Ruth Eva Morris-Anderson's farm.

Tales of life with Archie and Stella that were near and dear to his heart such as:

Sneaking off to go swimming in the West Fork River and the scolding received for doing so.
His first car and how his father forbid him to have it and made him return it.

M.E. left school during the Great depression to work with his father on the B&O Railroad, where he spent the next twenty-six year working alongside his father and younger brother John.

While his immense respect for his father never wavered he would be the first to share with you that his father was not an easy man to work for especially if your last name was Bennett and you were going to be facings him over the dinner table at her end of the day.

One of his favorite tales was being sent home from work by his father, and be sent back by his mother telling him she would deal with his father.

M.E. proudly served his country in the United States Armed Forces in Korea, from 1950 through 1953.

Upon returning he met and married his true love and as it turned out
the girl next door, Edna Jean Tennant.

Edna Jean was born July 14, 1931, at Prospect Valley, Harrison Co., West Virginia, to:

Hiram Joshua Tennant and Clara Ellen Harbert the youngest of five siblings.

M.E. and Jean had five sons:

Roger Lee -	b. 1948 -	d. 1963
Charles Ray -	b. 1949 -	d. 1981
Michael Craig -	b. 1958 -	d. 2006
Brian Keith -	b. 1964 -	d. 1964
Marlin Eric -	b. 1966

He taught his sons respect, and instilled in then a pride that only fathers can, they knew he stood firmly with them and had his full support in decisions they made.

M.E. earned the respect of his peers, the love of his family, and the fear of anyone one who threatened either.

Relatives, friends and neighbors alike knew if they needed something they only needed ask and he was there with anything he had to offer in the way of help. Although his life had more than its share of tragedies he never lost his desire for life or the love he had for his family.

M.E. shared with his family many happy times:

Hunting with Pappy, his brothers-in-law, and his son and best friend Michael.
Weekend camping trips to Capon Bridge with family and friends.
Boating down the Capon River searching for that perfect fishing hole.
Sitting around the evening campfire talking of the past and the future yet to be.
Time spent with his family and grandfather Russell Anderson at the Mannington Fair.
Family vacations to Disney World, Florida Beaches, and Amusement Parks simple Sunday drives Saturday afternoon on the patio.
Despite his failing health he remained his family’s anchor.

These will forever be a source of happiness to those he leaves behind.

M. E. passed away April 09, 2009 at his home in Gypsy, Harrison Co., West Virginia.

M. E. was burried at the Grafton National Cenetery in Grafton, Taylor Co., West Virginia.

M. E. is survived by his wife Jean of 51 plus years, his youngest son Eric, his granddaughters Michelle Ann, and Allison Nichole.