James W. "Sonny" Bennett

Graveside Services for Mr. James W. “Sonny” Bennett, 91, of West Monroe, LA, will be held at 10:30 A.M., Friday, June 4, 2021, at Hasley Cemetery Pavilion in West Monroe, LA, with Dr. Jim Wolfe officiating, under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home, West Monroe. Visitation will be held from 9:00 A.M. until 10:25 A.M. on Friday at Mulhearn Funeral Home in West Monroe.

Mr. Bennett was born October 27, 1929 and passed away at home on June 1, 2021. He met the love of his life, Barbara, shortly after graduating from Bernice High School while she played basketball for Farmerville High School. They were married on April 23, 1952 and lived a true love story raising four children, four grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. While raising his children, Mr. Bennett worked tirelessly as a grocery store manager for both Piggly Wiggly and Big Star grocery stores in West Monroe. Mr. Bennett also served his community on the West Monroe Board of Aldermen until the age of 89 when he retired after 45 years. He left a legacy that lives on through the many young men and women he mentored at the grocery store and the many lives he impacted while coaching Dixie Youth baseball. Mr. Bennett was a member of Ridge Avenue Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Estelle Brothers Bennett; his daughter-in-law, Norma Sloane Bennett; his parents, Walter and Willie Grafton Bennett; and eight siblings.

Survivors include his daughter, Judy Bennett Bice and husband, Doug; sons, Johnny Ray “Buddy” Bennett, Sonny Layne Bennett and wife, Kathy, and Bobby Wayne Bennett and wife, Lori; grandchildren, Joseph Dustin Bennett, Lyndsay Jenkins Mixon and husband, Matt, Melissa Jade Bennett, and Sonni Michelle Bennett; great grandchildren, Anthony Bennett, Carlee Bennett, Elizah Thornton, Kate LeighAnn Mixon, Klaire Estelle Mixon, Karlee James Mixon, Isabella Lyric Boyer, Amelie Claire Harris and Iris Anne Harris; bonus great grandchildren, Kelcey Skye Cummins and Brason William Cummins; his “other” daughter, Annette Lockwood; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be David Fowlkes, Joe Bennett, Matt Nolan, Tim Hammett, Doug Bice, and John Parks.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Helen Jacobs, Casey Smythe and Compassus Hospice.

Memorials may be made to Ridge Avenue Baptist Church in West Monroe.