Bennie Gant, Jr. Obituary (1934

Bennie Gant (affectionately known as Pop), 84 years old, passed away peacefully at St. Vincents Medical Center, Bridgeport, CT on Wednesday, January 16, 2019. He was born October 9, 1934, to the late Bennie Sr. and Essie Lee (Davis) Gant, in Santee, SC. He received his education in Elloree, SC. Bennie began working at an early age in agriculture in Santee, Elloree, and Holly Hill, SC. He married his former wife, the late Mary (Williams) Gant and they had two children, Maryann (Gant) Moore and the late Harold Gant. As time passed, he relocated to Connecticut and was employed by several companies, namely M & M Fence Company of Bridgeport and Sikorsky Aircraft of Stratford. During this time, Bennie, affectionately called "Pop ," was well known and loved by various communities of Bridgeport to include PT Barnum Apartments, Marina Village, and on the East End. He was very friendly and outgoing with everyone he met, often waving and speaking to those he encountered by saying "Hey, how you doing", regardless of race, background, or culture. In 1986, he married Addie (Thompson) Smith and they resided in Bridgeport for 32 years. They worshiped at Ebenezer Gospel Assembly under the leadership of the late Dr. Edgar L. Lashley until his retirement. Under the current pastorship of Rev. Thomas W. Hayes, Sr., Brother Gant frequently attended Sunday School, worked and served diligently as a member of the Mens Ministry where he participated in Fellowship breakfasts, as well as Men Cook 2, an annual event that involved cooking and serving dinners for the community. He also was a mentor, often sharing wisdom with young men about life and marriage. Brother Bennie was an active member until his health began to fail. Cherishing his memories and legacy are his loving wife of 32 years, Addie (Smith) Gant; 1 daughter, Maryann (Derrick) Moore of Santee, SC; 3 stepchildren: Chyronda Sparks, Tyre (Mellissa) Smith, Pamela Smith; 12 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren; 3 brothers: James (Jean) Gant, Sr. and Marion Gant, of Santee, SC; John (Theresa) Gant of CT; 4 sisters: Mary Jackson and Jerlene Gant, both of CT; Inez (Clay) Goodwin, Sr., of Philadelphia, PA and Elaine Gant of Santee, SC; 4 sisters-in-law, Helen Gant and Mary Gant, of Bridgeport, CT, Ernestine Perdue of Denmark, SC, and Susan Williams of Morganton, NC; 1 special friend, Mary Spodnik, fiance of the late Harold Gant; 1 Spiritual nephew, Elder J. Patrick (Indi) Hayes; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. Bennie was predeceased by 1 son, Harold Gant; 3 brothers: William, Charles, and Zemmie Gant; 4 sisters: Dorothy (Gant) West, Betty (Gant) Fogle, Susie Washington, and Mary Hillard; 4 sisters-in-law: RoseLee (Brown) Gant, Ossie "Jeanette" (Amos) Gant, Mary Alice Stroman, and Gladys Preston; 6 brothers-in-law: Samuel Fogle, Lewis West, Jr., Bobbie Watkins, Willie James Thompson, James Elmore, and Lennie Williams, Jr. SERVICES Visitation Saturday, January 19, 2019 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Ebenezer Gospel Assembly 291 Bunnell Street Bridgeport, CT 06607 Funeral Service Saturday, January 19, 2019 10:00 AM Ebenezer Gospel Assembly 291 Bunnell Street Bridgeport, CT 06607