Obituary of Tessie Lillian Bennett

     Tessie Lillian Bennett, 95, of Troy, entered into eternal life at her residence on Tuesday, September 10, 2019.

     Born in Danville, VA, she was the daughter of the late Ben Hutchings and Lula Carter. Tessie left Danville at the age of 26 and moved to Washington, DC to live with her sister. Shortly after, she moved to Troy, NY to live with her cousin Bertha Dickerson. Tessie spent many wonderful years in the company of the Dickerson family. Tessie met and married Nathaniel Bennett in Danville, VA.

     Tessie was employed and retired from Commodore Cleaners after 30 years of service.

Tessie joined the Bethel Baptist Church in Troy under the Pastorate of Rev. Brewington S. Stinney and served on the Missionary and Usher Board.

     Tessie was also an active member of the Troy Elks and served as the local Chaplain for several years. She was also a member of the Topperettes Bowling League.

     In her later years, she had become inactive due to her physical and medical disabilities. She has been living independently in the Troy Towers for the last 15 years.

     Prior to his death, Tessie enjoyed a special relationship with Sidney Thrantham, Sr. and his family.

     She enjoyed cooking, gardening, fishing, receiving visitors, playing bingo with the other tenants and remembering the old days.

     She was predeceased by her daughter Dolores Bennett.

She leaves to mourn her passing, her son Elder Alfred W. (Gwendolyn) Bennett Upchurch of Rockhill, SC, niece Katrina Bonds-Hayes of Washington, DC and niece Octavia Ferguson of Danville, VA, special cousin Carol Praylor of Mt. Rainier, MD, The Dickerson Family and a host of other cousins, nieces, nephews and the family of the late Sidney Thrantham and members of the Bethel Baptist Church in Troy.

     Funeral service will be held on Monday at 1:00 p.m. in the John J. Sanvidge Funeral Home, Inc., (Corner of 115th Street and Fourth Avenue) in Lansingburgh.

     Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the funeral home on Monday from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

     Interment will be held in Elmwood Hill Cemetery, Troy.

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