Obituary of Mortell A. Bennett

Obituary Mortell Augustus Bennett, was born March 16, 1918 to Simroy Bennett and Beatrice Smikell in Pleasant Valley, Clarendon Jamaica, West Indies. He attended Pleasant Valley Schools until the age of 16 when he went to Kingston to work for the Royal Navy. In 1943 he came to the United States to work as a farmer, working in Williamson, New York, Bellglade, Florida and Connecticut. He returned to Florida to work for the U.S. Sugar Corp. In May 1945 he moved to Kings Park, Long Island and in October of that year he moved to Babylon and started attending Ebenezer Baptist Church. While attending Ebenezer Baptist Church, Mortell met Cora Sydnor with whom he joined in Holy Matrimony in 1946. From this union he had two daughters, Teresa of Wyandanch, Beatrice of Indiana and one son Theodore of North Babylon. Cora passed away June 1953. In November of that year he met Annie M. Watson whom he married on July 17, 1954. This union produced a daughter, Jacqueline of Dumfries, Virginia. At Ebenezer he held the positions of Sunday School teacher and Superin- tendent. In 1953 he was ordained a Deacon and served as Chairman of the Deacon Board. He became a member of the Shiloh Lodge #4 in 1950 where he served as F.W. S.W. and Worshipful Grand Master. He joined the Widows Son Consistory in 1965 serving as Second Lieutenant, Commander in Chief. As a member of Rebecca Chapter O.E.S. he served as Patron for 25 years. He was Chairman of the Enoch Grand Lodge and served as Minister of State for the United Supreme Council of 33 degree Southern and Western Masonry Jurisdiction from 1978-1982. Mortell started Mortell Bennett Reality in 1962. The business was small and gradually grew. Mortell was self-employed until his retirement in 2000. Mortell will be lovingly remembered by his wife Annie Mae. His four children: Theresa Bennett, Beatrice Agunloye, Theodore Bennett and Jacqueline Bennett-Vroman. Daughter-in law Jeannine Bennett. Eight grandchildren: James Wills, Lisa Bennett, William Ballard, Ifeolwatayo Agunloye, Awilida Bennett, Theodore Bennett Jr., Christopher Vroman and Natasha Vroman. Three great grandchildren: Tiara Ballard, Dayanara Williams and Christopher Vroman Jr. and a host of nieces and nephews. Lovingly Submitted by the Family