Mary Noble Angel Bennett

Mary Noble Angel (Mrs. Charles V.) Bennett, known as “Mimi” to her grandchildren, died May 10, 2014, at Life Care Center, Tullahoma, TN. She was born February 21, 1921 in Rockingham, NC, the daughter of Constantine(Enie) and Edna Angel. She was united in marriage to Charles V. (Chuck) Bennett of Alexandria, IN on May 21, 1944. He preceded her in death on January 7, 1992. She was additionally preceded in death by a sister, Ruth Verell of Hampton, VA and a brother, Charles Angel, of Greensboro, NC. Mary Noble received her bachelor’s degree in music at Greensboro College and continued to make music a significant part of her life. In addition to teaching music at East Junior High and Bel-Aire Elementary School, she taught piano privately to many area children. She also provided accompaniment for many high school, church and civic music performances. Her greatest passion, however, was her forty years as organist at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, until failing eyesight forced her retirement in 2003. She was later named Organist Emeritus at a special dedication ceremony at the church. Mary Noble had an unwavering faith in God, and she was a long-time member of St. Barnabas. She was also a member of the AEDC Women’s Club, the Tullahoma Civic Choir and the Community Concert Choir. She is survived by her three sons and their spouses: Chip (Rosalyn)Bennett, Palestine, TX, Doug (Cathy) Bennett, Tullahoma, and Greg (Peri) Bennett, Oklahoma City, OK; grandchildren Scott and Katie Bennett, Oklahoma City, OK, Alicia Halbert (Jim), Waco, TX; and great-grandchildren: Reid and Kathryn Halbert, Waco, TX. One thing not widely known about Mary Noble was her involvement during and after World War II as an aeronautical draftsman. She spent the war years working for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. Her favorite duty with the war effort was her work in drafting blueprints for the B-36 bomber; as her children fondly poked fun at her that it was the only bomber in the US Air Force with its six engines designed to be attached backward. Visitation will be Friday, May 16, 2014 from 5 PM – 8 PM at Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home. A private family burial service will be held Saturday, May 17, and a Celebration of Life Memorial Service is planned for a later date. Memorials may be made to St. Barnabas Church or the Alzheimer’s Association. Online condolences may be made at www.davesculbertsonfuneralhome.com.

Mary Noble Angel Bennett

February 21, 1921 - May 10, 2014