Birth Date: 08/13/1935
Deceased Date: 11/15/2018
Carol Dale Bennett, 83, of Selma, NC, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 15, 2018. She was a beacon of joy for her family, faith, and community.
Born August 13, 1935 to the late Lewis Schuyler Thompson and Rosa King Thompson of Pine Level, she grew up in Johnston County with three siblings who are predeceased: sisters, Ethel T. Boone, Melba T. Batten, and brother, Lewis S. Thompson, Jr.
Carol graduated from Pine Level High School and King’s Business College in Raleigh. Her professional career spanned several years in administrative roles at the Johnston County Clerk’s Office; Johnston County Register of Deeds Office; Johnston County Department of Social Services; North Carolina License Plate Agency; Margaret Lassiter Income Tax & Bookkeeping; North Carolina Department of Public Instruction; and North Carolina State Board of Education.
She was the loyal wife to the late Johnnie Marion Dale for 44 years and they had five children, which all survive her: Deborah Batten (Tim) of Middlesex, Linda Gordon (Walter, Jr.) of Selma, Johnnie Dale, Jr. (Debbie) of Selma, Susan Driver (Dwayne) of Wendell, and Melanie Hodge (Davey) of Middlesex. She had nine grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
After Johnnie’s death in 1996, Carol later married the late Franklin “Dick” Bennett of Florence, NC. She is survived by her stepsons, John Bennet (SJ) and Franklin Bud Bennett of Grantsboro.
Carol loved to fish, garden, farm, sew, read, cook and travel. In addition to helping Johnnie work the family farm, she helped run her family’s produce stand at their Selma homestead and at the Fuquay-Varina Flea Market. An active member of Branch Chapel Free Will Baptist Church since 1954, Carol served as a Sunday school teacher and the Church Clerk for many years. She served her community in various capacities as a 4-H leader with the Selma Rural 4-H Club and President of the Smithfield-Selma Senior High School Band Backers.
Carol cherished her family, friends, and community. She loved unconditionally and always had an ear to listen, a heart to love, and a willingness to do for others. Many of her “adopted” children gathered often at her home over the years to eat a meal or talk out a problem. All who knew her loved her.
The family wishes to thank Susie Johnson, her faithful caregiver, the staff and doctors of Rex Hematology Oncology Associates, and all her caregivers at Springbrook Rehabilitation and Nursing Center for their loving care and support during her illness.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 17, 2018 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Parrish Funeral Home in Selma. Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, November 18, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. at Branch Chapel Free Will Baptist Church on Highway 96 North, Selma, with burial following in the church cemetery.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at parrishfh.com.
