Merle Gainous Bennett
December 29, 1923 – April 17, 2022

Graveside funeral services for Merle Gainous Bennett, 98, of St. Petersburg, FL, are at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 23, 2022, in Springhill Methodist Church Cemetery, Whigham, GA.  Rev. David Hibberts will officiate.  Mrs. Bennett passed away at Suncoast Hospice Care Center Mid-Pinellas in Pinellas Park, FL on Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022.

Mrs. Bennett was born on December 29, 1923, in Cairo, GA, to the late Johnson Gainous and Beulah Mae Faircloth Gainous.  She served her country in the United States Women Army Corp (WAC).  On May 5, 1956, she married Douglas Arnold Bennett, who preceded her in death on June 1, 1991.  They were married for over 35 years.  She was a homemaker.  Merle loved doing arts and crafts. She also always made sure to send cards commemorating loved one’s special occasions.

Survivors include: her children, Oscar Gainous (Wanda) of Sumter, SC, Nancy Lane (Tommy) of Knoxville, TN, Imogene Baker (Jim) of Avon, IN; grandchildren, Michael Gainous (Crissy) of Sumter, SC, Shane Gainous (Nancy) of Columbia, SC,  Crystal Withrow (Ray) of Knoxville, TN, Dan Baker (Jennifer) of Indianapolis, IN, Mark Baker (Jenny) of Avon, IN, Kim Baker of Indianapolis, IN, Laurel Baker of Indianapolis, IN, Melissa Johnson (Alden) of Indianapolis, IN; 18 great and great-great-grandchildren; sister, Jean Helmer (Kenneth) of Fort Walton Beach, FL; sister-in-law, Dorothy Gainous of Cairo, GA; and a host of nieces, nephews and extended family.

She was preceded in death by: her parents; her husband, Douglas Arnold Bennett; son, Dougie John Bennett; brothers, Dewitt Gainous (and wife, Minnie), Jimmie Gainous (and wife, Annette), Larry Gainous.

Memorials may be made in Mrs. Bennett’s memory to: Springhill Cemetery Fund, c/o Lee Gainous, 1790 GA HWY 112 N, Cairo, GA 39827