Merletta Bennett

Merletta Bennett was born Frances Merletta Lamb in Shamrock, Texas, on April 13, 1938. She went home to be with her heavenly father on the evening of October 4, 2021. Merletta attended school in Lela, Texas, and then in Shamrock where she played on the high school basketball team. Merletta married Jerry Bennett on January 14, 1955, and they made a home in Shamrock, later moving to Dalhart, Texas, where their three children were born. They later moved to Guymon, Oklahoma, where they lived for forty-one years and raised their family. There Merletta was an avid supporter of her kids’ school activities and a long time bookkeeper and office manager for Henderson Construction. She taught Sunday School and was an active member of First Baptist Church, and later Grace Baptist Church in Guymon. In 2003, after both retiring, Merletta and Jerry moved to be near their daughter, Karla in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and had the opportunity to become full time grandparents. She continued to enjoy cooking and became a member of Immanuel Baptist Church. Merletta is survived by her husband of sixty-six years, Jerry Bennett, of Shawnee, her son Kirk Bennett (Lisa) of Amelia Island, Florida, her daughter, Karen Manner (David) of Topeka, Kansas, and her daughter, Karla Betterton of Shawnee. She was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Mark Betterton, and her parents Grover and Mildred Lamb, and siblings Jimmy (Vivian) Lamb and Claudia (Bobby) Dowdy. “Grammy” had five grandchildren: Halley Bennett of Madrid, Spain, Adam Betterton (Kirsten) of Rock Springs, Texas, Bailey Machuca (Diego) of Charlotte, North Carolina, Jill Bussey (Draye) of Oklahoma City, and Jessa Swearingen (Cullen) of Topeka, Kansas. She also had six great grands: Michelle, Morrow, Sebastian, Louis, Max, and Ava. Merletta was a self taught bookkeeper, terrific mom, who always put her children first, adored grandparent, and a beloved wife. As a great cook who never needed a recipe, “Mom” was also creative and always had great ideas for fun days for her children growing up in a small town. She was a person of strong faith who shared her love for Jesus with her children and Sunday School students and all those around her. In order to reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19, the family will honor our mom and grandmother on Thursday, October 7, in a private service at Immanuel Baptist Church. The ceremony may be viewed at 3 p.m. on Thursday October 7, at www.ibcshawnee.org. In lieu of flowers, we think Mom would love your support of The Children’s Center Rehabilitation Hospital of Bethany, OK (https://www.miracleshappenhere.org/ways-to-give/donate/).