Ernest Bennett

Ernest Judson EJ or Sandy Bennett, 91, a lifelong resident of SouthEastern New Mexico, died August 2, 2011 at his home in Roswell, because, as he said, he had outlived his body.

Ernest was born in Tatum, Lea County, NM on July 14, 1920 to Harmon H. and Anna Hall Bennett. He attended school in Tatum and graduated from Tatum H.S. in 1938. Later that year EJ moved to Hobbs, NM and began working in the oil fields there for 50 cents an hour. He later moved to Brownfield, TX where he worked at Dick Brownfields cattle feed lot for 60month. From there he moved to Seminole, TX and went to work for the Banner Ice Milk Plant driving a truck for 90month.

After the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, EJ enlisted with the US Marine Corps at Lubbock, TX in May 1942. He completed Boot Camp in San Diego, CA before shipping out a few months later to Auckland, New Zealand. He served in the 3rd Marine Division, often as a payroll clerk, because he was one of the few who could type, in the Headquarters Company as they island hopped to Guadalcanal and other Solomon Islands eventually ending up on Guam, in the Marianas Islands. Ernest J completed his time with the Marines while stationed at the US Naval Hospital in Balboa Park, San Diego, CA and received his honorable discharge in November 1945.

EJ returned to Lovington, NM to be close to family and kin and began working for the Magnolia Oil Company. While there, he met Hazel Beaver and they were married February 6, 1946. They began their life together in a 3 room, oilfield shotgun house with no fridge and no AC just an ice box and a fan. They moved to Roswell in 1950 and upgraded to a 2 BR, 1 bath house on N. Kentucky.

The following year Hazel became sick and eventually preceded him in death on April 15, 1951. Later that year EJ met Virginia Anderson and they were married August 1, 1952.

Virginia taught math at Roswell H.S. until the family moved to Hobbs in 1964. She taught math at Hobbs H.S. until 1978 when EJ retired from being a pumper with Mobil Oil and they moved back to Roswell. Virginia also preceded him in death on May 16, 2010.

They enjoyed traveling for family vacations and later in their small RV would visit relatives and friends. They were active members of Roswells First Church of the Nazarene and enjoyed their time at the Bonita Park Camp and Conference Center on the Rio Bonito in Alto, NM playing 42 with their friends.

Following in EJs footsteps are daughter Sharon Ann Drusedum and husband John of Roswell granddaughter Julia Miller, husband Terry and their 3 children: Chaeli, Logan and Bryce of Paige, TX granddaughter Kelley Sorrel of Orlando, FL grandson Russell Dozier, wife Leana and their son, Mitchell of Yukon, OK several Hall cousins and family members several Bennett cousins and family members and many church friends and oil field buddies in Roswell and the surrounding areas. He was loved by many and will be missed by many more.
The family would like to thank those who drank coffee or ate breakfast and swapped stories with EJ most mornings and the church friends and others who stopped by from timetotime to chat in his home. He shared with us how much he appreciated the kindnesses shown him this past year.
A memorial service celebrating EJs life and legacy will be held at First Church of the Nazarene, 501 N. Sycamore, Roswell on Saturday, September 3 at 10a.m. under the direction of Rev. Garth Hyde. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in EJs name to Bonita Park Camp Conference Center, HC 71 Box 1159, Capitan, NM 88316 or to The Gideons International, PO Box 777, Roswell, NM 88202. A private interment will follow at a later date in the Lovington Cemetery.

Service

Memorial Service

First Church of the Nazarene
501 N. Sycamore
Roswell, NM  88201
Saturday, September 3, 2011
10:00 a.m.

Memorial Contributions

HC 71 Box 1159
Capitan, NM  88316


P.O. Box 777
Roswell, NM  88202