Linda Fay Bennett was born on September 16, 1947, at St. Louis City hospital, the daughter of Raymond and Virginia Kennedy. On Wednesday, July 3, Linda passed away peacefully at her home in Barnhart, Missouri, surrounded by her family, and entered her eternal rest with their love, support, and prayers. Linda was 76 years of age.
On May 8, 1964, in Arnold, Missouri, she was united in marriage to Bernett Bennett, who survives. She and Bernett recently enjoyed a 60-year anniversary celebration of their marriage at a surprise party that brought family and friends together for a memorable and wonderful experience.
To their union three daughters were born: Rebecca Hicks and her husband Brad of Barnhart, Melonie Payne and her husband Joseph of Dexter, Missouri, and Lynette O’Brien and her husband Jeffrey of Barnhart. Linda is also the grandmother of Dacota Tharp and her husband Shane of Naylor, Missouri, Miranda Benn and her husband Alex of Desoto, Missouri, Moriah Hartsfield and her husband Ryce of Dexter, Cheyenne O’Brien and her husband Trenton of Barnhart, Josiah Payne of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and Mata O’Brien of Barnhart.
Linda is also survived by six great-grandchildren: Kollin, Khodi, and Kaiah Tharp of Naylor, Mila and Easton Benn of Desoto, and Nora O’Brien of Barnhart. Cheyenne and Trenton are soon expecting Linda’s seventh great-grandchild. She is also survived by one sister Johanna Knight, and her two children Virginia and Stephen; and by one sister-in-law Jerri Kennedy and by her son Raymond.
In addition to her parents, Linda is preceded in death by two brothers, Raymond Kennedy of Union City, Missouri, and by Randy Kennedy and his wife Connie of St. Louis.
Linda helped her husband Bernett in running their construction business, but she shined most as a homemaker. She was both talented and innovative, willing to do whatever it took to either repair her house and decorate it, feed and clothe her children and grandchildren, or go to great lengths to amuse and entertain them.
She was a devout follower of Jesus Christ and played the piano for decades in churches throughout the Midwest as she and Bernett served in various churches and revivals. Their love of Christ continued until her last breath, as she and Bernett faithfully enjoyed their daily Bible studies together.
Linda was an encourager and helper, always eager to help someone in whatever way she could. She was a confidant and counselor, and empathetic to those who were hurting. She was not only affectionate and loving, she remained a big kid at heart and always wanted everyone to have fun.
Services: Funeral at Kutis South County Chapel 5255 Lemay Ferry Rd on Saturday, July 6, 11 a.m. Burial Shepherd Hills Cemetery. Visitation, Friday, 4-7 p.m.
Dearest Auntie, cousin Linda. Thank you for so many wonderful memories spent at your house. Swimming at the pool or your house . Sleep overs to going to six flags . Most of all thank you for having lynnette, she is forever my rock and I will try hard to be hers. You truly are an Amazing woman and mother Aunt and cousin and gma, great gma. I will forever miss you. Love you forever.
Grandma, thank you for welcoming me into your family as your unofficial adopted granddaughter. I will cherish the time I spent with you, from doing my laundry at your house while we watched tv and ate snacks, to spending summer by the pool and thanksgiving and Christmas with you and the whole family.
Love you always and I will miss you more than you know.
Love Amy xx
Heaven has gained a wonderful ang knce again. There is not one bad thing I can say about Aunt Linda mh most favorable memory is qgen km and I went to her Halloween parties we always had a great time. LOVE YOU AND I KNOW YOU ARE HAVING a Great time up on Heaven now…
From Carmen and Robert and Daniel Conway sorry to hear sister Linda passed away she was so nice to all of us every time we seen her and family that was most of the time in Church wear we all served God and had Great time with our lord and Savior Jesus Christ we had Great Church services and praising God and singing Church songs I know she really loved being at Church and playing piano and serving God we have known each other for many years and family Sister Linda is singing in Heaven now.
Very sad to hear of Linda’s passing.
She is the person who helped me and taught me to play the piano.
To the family… so very sorry for your loss and she was a wonderful person who help raise me and my sisters.
In my thoughts and prayers.