Obituaries

My mother and father were married for 57 years (he passed in 1997). She is survived by her daughter, Melinda Pickens; her brothers, DeWayne Bennett (Carol) and Lonzo Bennett (Freida); sister in-law, Elva Lehman; Grandchildren, Jeremy, Ben and Susanna; Great grandchildren, Kyra, Andrew, Shannon, Sean, and Kate.

Her greatest joy was her grandkids (3) and her great grandkids (5). After retiring as head of the Los Angeles County Fire Department payroll department, my mother and father moved to the Bay Area to be near the grandkids. She love to crochet and among those accomplishments were a crocheted picture (about 36 x 48) of the Lord's Prayer and also crocheting stocking caps in team colors for ALL the swimmers on her grandkids swim team. That was about 125 hats. She also made coordinating ones for the coaches and parents who were swim officials. For many years she also volunteered in the school library at Snow Elementary School in Newark where her daughter taught. She loved being with the kids and helping out. She was nominated for Newark volunteer of the year one year. Private graveside services will be held at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale, California

In lieu of flowers or any gifts, the family would prefer friends to donate to the Hurricane Harvey/Houston/Beaumont relief and recovery through any charity of their choice. Red Cross and Salvation Army are active in those endeavors among others.