MATTHEWS, NC:::::::::::::: Ethel Rodgers Bennett, age 98, devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 7th, 2016. Born in Lancaster, SC on October 23, 1917, she was the daughter of the late Jennie Kirk Rodgers and William Oscar Rodgers. She was predeceased by her parents, three sisters and a brother. She is survived by her beloved brother William Harry Rodgers, daughter Anna Bennett Spencer (Bruce), son Joseph Dean Bennett (Reba), daughter Marie Bennett Wood (Bill), and daughter Bobbye Bennett Newsome (Craig). Her surviving grandchildren are Erin Bennett Wilson, William Dean Bennett, Travis Forrest Wood, Hannah Elizabeth Newsome, Kaitlin Alexandra Newsome and Alexa Marie Newsome. Surviving step grandchildren are Courtney Spencer Cranor (Bill), Stephanie Spencer Rodriguez (Tom), and Pam Thompson. She is also survived by ten great grandchildren and a host of beloved nieces and nephews.

Ethel graduated from Lancaster High School in 1934 where she was valedictorian of her class. She attended Kings Business College in Charlotte, NC and had a long, successful career in the business department of Elliott White Springs Memorial Hospital. After her retirement, she enjoyed many years of gardening, especially vegetable gardening, sharing her prolific produce with family and friends, preparing wonderful meals for her family, and especially spending time or having long phone conversations with her loved ones. She was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Lancaster where she was involved in Sunday school and the Ola Mae Weir Mission group, and she was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She retained her independence until the final days of her life. She was a beautiful, gracious lady whose life was a devotion to her family and friends.

The family would like to give special thanks to her beloved neighbors, Nancy Price and the Porter Stacks family and to her treasured friend, Joanne Estridge, all of whom made it possible for her to continue living in her home until the age of 90.

A visitation will be held at Burgess Funeral Home, 1800 Charlotte Highway, Lancaster, SC on May 10th at 12:00 noon, with a celebration of her life at 1:00 PM officiated by the Rev. Joe Bennett. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to First Baptist Church, PO Box 670, Lancaster, SC 29721, Novant Health Hospice Palliative Care Matthews, 1500 Matthews Township Parkway, Matthews, NC 28105 or the Matthews Free Medical Clinic, 196 South Trade Street, Matthews, NC 28105.