Louise Bennett

Mary Louise “Louise” Hawkins Bennett, 79, entered into rest on Friday, April 5, 2024. Louise was born in Sandersville, Georgia but grew up in Augusta, Georgia. 

She graduated from The Academy of Richmond County, Class of 1963. She enjoyed performing in musicals and theater while there. She was an excellent pianist and spent many years playing for and directing the children’s choir. She also was the pianist for Fleming Baptist Church services where she was a member for many years. Her love of the piano and music spilled over to her children and grandchildren. 

Louise was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Lou and Richard Homer Hawkins, her infant daughter, her son, Gary Lee Bennett, Jr., and her daughter DJ Fountain. 

She is survived by her beloved husband of 52 years, Gary Lee Bennett, her children, Dawn Sims (Jason), John Bennett (Karen), and Neisha Cundey (Rick), her grandchildren, Brandon Fountain (Kristen), Amanda Fountain, Zachary Cundey, Hannah Cundey Hix (Bobby), Dawson Sims, Jacob Sims, Ciara Fender (Jordan), Jase Martin, and Quest Caines, her great grandchildren, Dylan Fountain, Kailey Posey, Brylee Posey, Matthew Rushton, Heather Bafford  and Baby Hix due in November, and her brother, Richard Herman Hawkins, her nephew, Ricky Hawkins, and her niece Tristen Hawkins.

Louise was also an exemplary seamstress and loved making prom dresses for her daughters and matching outfits for her daughters and granddaughters to wear to church and special events. She crocheted many blankets and cross stitched many beautiful pieces to give to family and friends. 

Her career was made up of many years focusing in secretarial and administrative roles and her last employer was Fluor Daniel Construction where she served as a buyer for the company. She also was an avid volunteer for the MS Society with their Bike Ride Across Georgia campaign. 

She and her husband Gary spent their retirement years as Campground Hosts for many of the grounds on Lake Strom Thurmond. She truly had a love for the lake, cruising on the water in their pontoon, fishing, camping, and grilling out. 

She also loved her many pets over the years. Her cats Beau and Patricia were her constant companions over the last few months. 

Her greatest love, perhaps, was her grandchildren, who called her MawMaw or Meme. She spent many hours with them over the years whether in person or on the phone. As her illness progressed in the later years she longed to be with each of them. Their accomplishments she was most proud of and she truly longed to see each of them succeed. 

The family would like to thank Heartland Hospice and Warrenton Health and Rehab for taking excellent care of Louise over the last few months. 

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the CSRA Humane Society, 425 Wood Street, Augusta, GA 30904,  http://www.csra-hs.com/ or to Warrenton Health & Rehab Activities Center, 813 Atlanta Highway, Warrenton, GA 30828.

The funeral service will be held Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at 2:00 P.M. in the chapel of Thomas Poteet & Son with Rev. Pastor Larry Jernigan officiating. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park.