Marie Bennett Munson

Marie Bennett Munson, of Midland, passed away Friday March 4, 2005.

Marie was born April 1, 1918 to Fred A. Christian and Myrtle Rutherford in Claremore, Oklahoma. She moved to Odessa in 1923, graduated from Odessa High School in 1936 and attended SMU. She married William Franklin Bennett II, in 1938 and was widowed in 1962. She married Craig D. Munson Jr. in 1973 and was widowed again in 2004.

Marie was a pioneer for women in business in the 1950's. She started the private employment industry in West Texas by opening Bennett Employment Service in Odessa in 1953 and Midland in 1954. She introduced the temporary help industry to West Texas in 1958 by opening Kelly Services. Over the years, Marie placed thousands of employees with hundreds of area businesses. She was a past president of the National Employment Association and listed in Who's Who of American Women. She was a member of the Chambers of Commerce in Odessa and Midland and served on the boards of the Better Business Bureau and the Salvation Army.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her sons: William F. Bennett, III of San Mateo, California; Mark A. Bennett of Odessa, Texas; and Robert C. Bennett of Lewisville, Texas, and 6 grandchildren.

Services for Marie will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Trinity on Friday, March 11, 2005 at 11:00 AM. Arrangements are under the direction of Ellis Funeral Home.

Memorials can be directed to the Episcopal Church of the Holy Trinity, 1412 W. Illinois Ave, Midland, Texas 79701 or St. John's Episcopal Church, 401 W. County Rd., Odessa, Texas. 79763.