Madge Bennett

Berla Madge Gray Bennett was born on June 12, 1919, near Forsyth, MO, to George Clinton Gray and Bertha Almeda Pumphrey Gray. Madge married George R. Bennett at Claremore, OK, on August 4, 1940. They were married 55 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband George, two brothers Ross and Roy, and three sisters Ruby, Mavis and Ruth. Madge was the oldest. Madge is survived by her daughter Judith Rose and husband Richard, granddaughter Leigih Ann Garza and husband Manuel, and greatgranddaughter Rosie Garza. Also surviving are five nephews and their families: Marvin Gray, Carl Gray, George Gray, Pat Gray and Clinton Gray. She is also survived by many other relatives and friends who will miss her. As a high school student in Vinita, OK, she played basketball and was ferocious on defense. After high school she worked for the Vinita newspaper and then worked as a telephone operator. About that time she remembered hearing the announcement on the radio on a Sunday in December in 1941 that Pearl Harbor had just been bombed. The next day she heard President Roosevelt give his Day of Infamy speech to Congress on the radio. She also saw the world famous humorist Will Rogers when he came to Vinita for the Will Rogers Rodeo. This was a few months before his death in a plane crash. Madge and her husband George farmed near Spring Grove for many years, then sold the farm and moved to a home near Buffalo. She worked for Nyberg Pharmacy, the county Extension Office and the Family Services office in Dallas County as a case worker, from which she retired. In her earlier years she was a member of Mt. Pleasant Southern Baptist Church. In later years she moved her membership to the Buffalo First Baptist Church. She taught Sunday School for many years at both churches. She was also a member of the Buffalo Garden Club and Friends of the Library. Being born in 1919, she saw many changes in her 97 years. She had traveled by horse and buggy, car, train, cruise ship and plane. Madge was a young thinker in that she was always open to new ideas. She was an optimist, her glass was always half full. The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was passed by Congress on June 4, 1919, eight days before she was born. It was ratified by the states in 1920, granting women the right to vote. Madge said that other countries had women leaders, and she thought it was past time for the United States to have one. She cast her vote for the first woman candidate for president last November. Although her candidate didn't win, she was proud to have voted for her. Madge's life spanned many changes. She was a remarkable woman. No formal visitation is planned. Family and friends may call at Montgomery-Viets Funeral Home at their convenience. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 6th at 2:30 P.M. with burial at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery and left at the Funeral Home.

Madge Bennett

June 12, 1919 - May 4, 2017