James Edward Bennett

JAMES EDWARD BENNETT, son of the late Henry and Marie Bennett, was born on December 4, 1944 in Baltimore, MD. On May 29, 2017, he departed this life after a short illness. James was the 3rd eldest of eight children raised in Baltimore city, who despite all obstacles was raised with a strong faith in God. At an early age James accepted Christ at First Apostolic Faith Church in Baltimore. Throughout his life he embodied Christian values such as family, faith, leadership, love, and compassion. To those who knew him on the basketball court he was usually called "JB". However working as a caddy on various golf courses in Baltimore, he earned the nickname "Cornbread Shorty". This nickname was derived from his capability for earning a lot of money, and his short stature. To his family and friends he was known as "Jimmy". James graduated from Paul Lawrence High School where he excelled on the basketball court, as well as scholastically off the court. He was one of the original boys of Dunbar's championship basketball team in the 1960's. After High School, James attended Coppin State College for a brief stint where he accomplished being an All-Time Letterwinner and Captain of the basketball team from 1964 through 1966. He went on to join the United States Air Force where he earned rank as sergeant in the Vietnam War. After being honorably discharged from the Air Force, James returned home and continued his education at Coppin State College, earnings his Bachelors of Science degree in Elementary Education in 1972, He continued his education at Johns Hopkins University, receiving his Master's degree in Education in 1979. James was employed with the Maryland Cup Corporation throughout his college years. He continued to caddy at various golf courses in the city, which enabled him to enhance his golf game. After graduating from John Hopkins University, James accepted a position with Baltimore City Public School a a teacher. He excelled from the role of classroom teacher to an academic teacher. Mr. Bennett was known to kids all over Baltimore City. He left an outstanding mark at Bentlow Elementary, Hamilton Elementary, Waverly Elementary; Samuel F.B. Morse Elementary, Mary E. Rodman Elementary, and Hilton Elementary School. He also provided tutoring services to various children throughout the community. after 32 years of service, Mr. Bennett retired from the Baltimore City Public School System in 2011. In the eighties James along with other members established the Paragon Gold Association located at Clifton Park Gold Course in Baltimore. The Paragon Golf Association held many tournaments that James participated in. Throughout his tenure with the club he would place first and second in those various tournaments. In his later years James joined the Maryland Birdies where he shared his enthusiasm of playing golf and enjoying the atmosphere of other club members. In the early 1990's, James joined his wife (Gloria) and became a member of Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church. He assisted Gloria on many church committee activities. In 2003, James moved to Aberdeen, Maryland where he and his wife Gloria joined the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Havre de Grace, Md. They attended and participated in many services, but their heart always and forever remained with the Mt. Lebanon family. In 1969, James met and married the love of his life, Gloria Bennett, and they worked, worshipped, traveled, and honeymooned for over 45 years until Gloria's death in 2014. From this union came two children LaTonya Bennett and DeWayne Bennett. James greatest joys were sports, traveling, and spending quality time with his wife and children. James is survived by: two children, LaTanya and DeWayne; four sisters, Henrietta Bennett, Hattie Marie Scrivens, Marlene Bennett, and Darlene Bennett; brother, Thomas Bennett (Eleanor Bennett); very special brother-in-law, Michael Davis; and a host of brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends. He was preceded in death by the late Gloria Bennett, (wife); and the late Troy Bennett, (brother).

Tributes

James Edward Bennett

December 14, 1944 - May 29, 2017