Jan. 1, 1934 ~ Dec. 9, 2022
Barbara Lou Bennett died on December 9, 2022 in Lubbock, Texas. Her husband, Deryl Bennett, passed away only three months before. She was born in Eastland, Texas on January 1, 1934 to Marcus Hampton Pierce and Sallie Mae Bachus Pierce. She graduated from Loraine High School in 1951, and later from Hendricks School of Nursing at Hardin Simmons in Abilene. There, she was the first to receive the Busch Outstanding Bedside Nurse Award in 1950.
Her Mother, Sallie, was shot and killed when Barbara was only four, and she lived with various relatives until she graduated high school. Barbara's nursing school tuition was paid for by the local Loraine doctor and she spent the rest of her life paying it forward. She gave freely of her time, money, and expertise. She made loans to nurses who couldn't pay their tuition or gave them money outright. Family and friends regularly came to her for medical advice, and she loved nothing more than solving a medical mystery. She practiced nursing for nearly 50 years, teaching at the South Plains College LVN program in Levelland for most of her career. In her honor, the Barbara Bennett Bedside Nursing Award is given to two SPC Nursing graduates every year.
Barbara married Deryl Dean Bennett, January 1, 1955 on her 21st birthday. Barbara and Deryl raised two daughters, Lisa Ann and Peggy Lynn, in Morton, Texas. Later, they retired in Littlefield where they enjoyed roadtripping in their RV and traveling with friends. Barbara was fiercely loyal to her large group of girlfriends, many dating back to nursing school.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Hobert and Hubert; and her husband, Deryl.
She is survived by daughters, Lisa Bell and husband, Greg Bell, Peggy Bennett and husband, Josh Friedman; grandsons, Aaron Presley, Marcus Presley and wife Kaci; granddaughters, Molly and husband, Tyler Brown, Chloe Friedman; and five great grandchildren; niece, Marilyn Guthrie and her daughter, Catherine Lyons; niece, Janice Matthews and her husband, Tim; niece, Kristi Brown and her children, Audrey and Coleman.
A graveside service and scattering of Barbara and Deryl's ashes will be held Spring 2023 in Loraine.
In memory, please consider a donation to Carillon Foundation's Employee Scholarship Fund at CarillonLubbock.com/foundation or mailed to 4002 16th Street, Lubbock TX 79416.