Wilma Jean Ritchie Bennett

Mrs. Wilma Jean Ritchie Bennett, age 75, 617 Walnut Street, Elizabethton went home at last to be with her Lord and her husband Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at the Johnson City Medical Center following an extended illness. A native of Carter County, she was the daughter of the late Teddy G. and Selma Bellamy Ritchie. Mrs. Bennett had been a nursing assistant at local hospitals and nursing homes and was a sales clerk at Ames Department Store for five years. She was a member of Piney Grove Freewill Baptist Church. Mrs. Bennett loved gospel music. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Buster “Buddy” Bennett, December 5, 2006; a brother, David E. Ritchie and a sister, Hilda Glenita Ritchie. Survivors include a son, Steve Allen Bennett, Unicoi, TN; three sisters, Linda Ruth White, Elizabethton, Barbara Carlock and husband Bill, Apison, TN and Patsy Depp and husband Joel, Crestwood, KY; four brothers, William G. “Bill” Ritchie and wife Joyce, Lake Suzy, FL, Teddy J. Ritchie and wife Sharon, Knoxville, TN, James Wayne Ritchie, Elizabethton and Randy E. Ritchie and wife Nell, Austin, TX; a special nephew, Stanley White and wife Angel and their children, Levi, Logan and Lacy, all of Elizabethton; a special niece, Penny Ritchie and her son Matthew Taylor, both of Elizabethton and special friends, Dan and Lelia Perry, Bluff City. Many additional nieces and nephews whom she adored also survive. Funeral service for Mrs. Wilma Jean Ritchie Bennett will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Friday, March 2, 2012 in the Sunset Chapel of Hathaway-Percy Funeral and Cremation Services with Rev. Kinley Knight officiating. Music will be under the direction of Kristy Knight. Interment will follow the funeral service on Friday in Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Matthew Taylor, Larry Gobble, Robert Gobble, Bill Carlock, Joel Depp and Donnie Ritchie. Honorary pallbearers will be Stanley White and Levi White. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1:00-2:00 P.M. on Friday prior to the funeral service or at the residence of her sister, Linda Ruth White, 617 Walnut Street, Elizabethton at other times. The family would like to express a special thanks to the nurses and staff of Life Care Center of Elizabethton and to Judy Deloach, the nurse and staff of Ivy Hall Nursing Home for their loving care to Mrs. BennettRead Obituary