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Lerone Bennett Jr.
1928 - 2018
Lerone Bennett Jr.
1928 - 2018
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1928
DIED
2018
Lerone Bennett Jr. Obituary
A.A. Rayner and Sons Funeral Home in Chicago said Thursday that Bennett died Tuesday. Ebony magazine tells the Chicago Sun-Times that Bennett had vascular dementia.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson on Thursday called Bennett an "activist historian" and said "a global force for justice he was, a mighty pen he had."
Bennett grew up in Jackson, Mississippi, and worked on his high school newspaper and edited the student newspaper at Morehouse College, where he went to school with Martin Luther King Jr. Bennett went on to work at the Atlanta Daily World before joining Jet and then Ebony. He worked at Ebony for about 50 years.
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"He was the guiding light for the editorial vision of Ebony," Ebony CEO Linda Johnson Rice said Wednesday. "Lerone was not just essential in the formation of Ebony's historic trajectory, he was a pillar in the black community."
Bennett chronicled the civil rights movement. Among his books was "What Manner of Man, a Biography of Martin Luther King, Jr.," along with "Before the Mayflower: A History of Black America" and "The Shaping of Black America."
Bennett took on national roles, including as a member of President Bill Clinton's Committee on the Arts and Humanities and as an early adviser to the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture. His footprints are in pavement at the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame in Atlanta.
Bennett's wife, Gloria, was a Jet journalist. She died in 2009. He is survived by three children.
Copyright © 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
88 Entries
October 20, 2019
God is a God..of all Comfort and he will Comfort the Family's.My condolences..
August 4, 2018
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
May 31, 2018
Prayerfully thinking of family and friends during this period of mourning. May God be your strength through this difficult time.
Darlene Guyton
March 30, 2018
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
How you can show support
March 24, 2018
I would like to express my deepest sympathies for the loss of your loved one. May you find comfort and help in God during this time of sorrow.
J. Gregory Griffin
March 13, 2018
My sincere condolences! Much loving regards for such a noble witness!
Paula La Vaughn
March 2, 2018
My heartfelt sympathy to the family. Please find comfort in the words at 1 Corth. 15:26
March 2, 2018
MY HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS. MAY YOU FIND COMFORT KNOWING THAT GOD IS AWARE OF YOUR PAIN AND MAY HE GIVE YOU THE STRENGTH NEEDED AS YOU CONTINUE ON THIS JOURNEY OF LIFE.
PLEASE KNOW THAT GOD CARES AND HE KEEPS THOSE WHO HAVE PASSED ON IN DEATH, IN HIS MEMORY BECAUSE ALL ARE PRECIOUS IN HIS EYES. (PSALMS 116:15).
February 26, 2018
My heartfelt sympathy to the family on the passing of your love one please accept my heartfelt sympathy for your loss.
Yc
February 25, 2018
With heartfelt sympathy. Please accept my deepest condolences. Please accept my deepest condolences. May you continue to cherish his precious memories together. May you find comfort in the God of all comfort to offer you comfort and the strength to endure during these difficult times ahead.
February 23, 2018
REST IN INTERNAL PEACE. THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE.
February 23, 2018
Extending heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr. Bennett for their loss. We've lost another icon from the civil rights movement. May you be comforted in knowing we appreciate his efforts and sacrifices to further the cause. May your precious memories comfort and strengthen you during this time of grief.
Donald F Guest
February 23, 2018
Thank you sir for your indefatigable research and magnanimous contribution to the organizing, cataloging, presenting and preserving of the history of our liberation struggle in America.
H White
February 22, 2018
Please accept my sincere sympathy for your loss. Mr. Bennett was a tremendous Editor for Ebony Magazine. May his accomplishments be mentioned by you as time moves on. Also, may God comfort and strengthen you during this time of sorrow. 2Thessalonians 2:16,17
R D
February 22, 2018
Heartfelt condolences for the loss of Lerone Bennett, Jr. May you find comfort in memories of good times shared together; along with love of family and friends.
February 22, 2018
RIP Mr Bennett.
February 21, 2018
To The Bennett Family,
I would like to give my condolences during this difficult time. He did a lot of work to help get equality for all. We look forward to the time when we will all look at each other the way that God looks at us. May you continue to find strength and comfort through our Heavenly Father through prayer.
R. Soto
February 21, 2018
I remember when he came to speak at Aquinas Dominican H.S., very inspiring.
Condolences to the Bennett family.
L
February 20, 2018
Thinking of the Bennett family.May the peace from God that surpasses all understanding comfort your hearts and minds at this time.Please accept my heartfelt sympathies and condolences.
H J
February 20, 2018
My dearest sympathy goes out to the family of Lerone Bennet Jr. May the God of great comfort comfort you and your family at this time of your grief and give you and your family the strength to endure this painful loss at this time in your life.
February 20, 2018
My condolences to the Bennett family. Matthew 5:4
M.H.G.Sr
February 20, 2018
May you be in The Book Of Life.
February 20, 2018
May it comfort you to know that God as well as others care about your loss. May he give you peace of mind and heart.
Sincerely
Margaret Handy
February 20, 2018
To my sweet nieces and great nieces,
So sorry for the loss of your father and grandfather.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you today.
Always remember the good times and find your peace there.
Love you all,
Aunt Mogie
J Thompson
February 20, 2018
To the Bennett family, My sincere condolences . May God bless and comfort you in this difficult time and fond memories warm your heart.(Isaiah41:10)
Jasmine Cooper
February 19, 2018
My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time. I hope that the promise in 1 Thessalonians 4:14 can bring comfort.
Cie Cie Wilson McGhee
February 19, 2018
My prayers are with your family Mr. Bennett. May your memory and legacy live in our hearts forever. We love you and miss you.
February 19, 2018
My deepest sympathy I never had the opportunity to meet Mr Bennett personally but through his writing I did so thank you for sharing him may Isaiah 61:2 comfort you God says he will comfort all who mourns Thank You for giving me a way to express my appreciation for all your father hard work Mary
Maria
February 19, 2018
My sympathy goes out to the Family during your time of grief. May God's word and his loyal love comfort you and help you through this difficult time.-Psalms 119:50,76.
February 19, 2018
Ken Howard
February 19, 2018
While I never met Mr. Bennett; as a once avid reader of Ebony, his name and memory of some of his articles are forever ingrained with me. May the family be comforted by the only true living GOD during this difficult time.
February 19, 2018
So sorry for your loss. May you have peace and comfort during this sad time and in the days that follow.
February 18, 2018
Please accept my condolences on the loss of your love one.
February 18, 2018
May God Bless the greatness of Lerone Bennett Jr. Before the Mayflower transformed me into an educated African-American man. We were here before the Mayflower
Seth
Detroit Michigan
Mel James
February 18, 2018
Our hearts are saddened for the loss of your beloved Father. May our Father in heaven grant you love, tender mercies and comfort now and in the days ahead. Peace be with you all. Agape' Love! 2 Cor. 1:2-7.
M.J.
February 18, 2018
I am sorry for your loss.
I remember meeting Mr. Bennett when I toured the Ebony Publishing in late 70's. He was very friendly and kind.
May the promise from our great God to eliminate death, pain and sorry sustain you during this difficult time.
EB
Harvey
Psalm 18: 2
February 18, 2018
My heartfelt condolence is for the Bennett family for the loss of Mr. Lerone Bennett Jr. He left behind a very important legacy and He will be missed. May God become your rock and your stronghold during this time of sorrow.
February 18, 2018
Sincere condolences to the family. May the happy memories bring peace to your hearts.
February 18, 2018
I am so sorry for your loss. May our heavenly comfort you all during this very sad time.
Marsha Bennett
February 17, 2018
Rest in peace
Gregory Bennett
February 17, 2018
Rest In Peace.
Marilynn
February 17, 2018
To the family of Mr. Lerone Bennett Jr. During this time of great sorrow, may it comfort you to know that others are deeply touched by your great loss of your loved one. I to know what it's like to lose someone very dear to me I understand your pain. Though your hearts are broken now, may you be comforted in knowing that our grand creator cares about you personally and he can help you through this difficult time in your lives. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Valenda Newell
February 17, 2018
THIS..THIS GENIUS OF A MAN was sooooo remarkable as a writer!!!!....such a historian and MR. BENNETT JR. shared it with the world....MUCH MUCH RESPECT in honor of LERONE and PRAYERS to the family.......BLESSINGS ALWAYS
Jon Kydd
February 17, 2018
Condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Bennett. Thank you for opening our eyes and minds to the wonderful aspect of history.
Juanita
February 17, 2018
Sincere condolences to the family for the loss of your beloved father. May his legacy of love for family and the community of mankind live on through each of you. May God provide the needed comfort during your time of grief.
Haith
February 17, 2018
He was indeed a historian's historian.
G. Freeman
February 17, 2018
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
L Hines
February 17, 2018
Sorry for your great loss. When anxieties overwhelmed me, You comforted and soothed me. (Psalm 94:1)
J
February 17, 2018
Thank you for your love one's passion for our community
His footprints will always be rooted in our history
Our Heavenly Father's love is seen in his creations
We are made in his image
May God keep you in his memories
As his promises of a resurrection comes to fulfillment
Wendy J
February 17, 2018
My prayers are with you. May the God of all comfort grant you peace. Psalm 46:1
February 17, 2018
My condolences to your family. May God's Word bring comfort to your family during this time.
Mary
February 17, 2018
Condolences to the family of Mr. Bennett. May cherished memories comfort you along with prayers.
February 17, 2018
My deepest condolences to the family at this very difficult time. May the God of all comfort be with you
February 17, 2018
Sincere condolences on your loss. May the God of comfort be with you during this sad time.
February 17, 2018
I'd like to offer my condolences to your family may the God of comfort and peace aide you in this time of the end
February 17, 2018
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
C G
February 17, 2018
Mr. Bennett's writing was wonderful. I send my sincerest condolences to his family and friends. May God give you all strength to endure this very sad and difficult time.
JMS
February 17, 2018
My condolences are with the family. May the God of comfort help you during this most difficult time.
Kathy Brothers
February 16, 2018
Rest in peace, Mr. Bennett. I have all of your books!
Prayers ascending for a "Pen with a Voice" family
Pastor Laurie Taylor Adams
February 16, 2018
Ms. Donna Ward
February 16, 2018
I was an Ebony Magazine reader for years. Mr . Bennett always caught my attention with Articles he had written. He was such an Outstanding Speaker. God has gained an Motivational Hero
marianne jordan
February 16, 2018
What wonderful man.I have several of his books and a great photo of him. One of my fondest memories of this grand man was that I was driving down halsted street here in Chicago,and who should I see on the corner but Lerone Bennett. I stopped and introduced myself and asked if he would like a lift that I was on my way to PUSH. He said yes and I took him to HydePark where he was to speak. We had a wonderful conversation and I let him know that I was a friend of Pyll Garland who had worked with him at Ebony. My condolences to his family.
CF
February 16, 2018
May the God of all peace bring comfort to the Bennett family and friends at this difficult time.
February 16, 2018
To the Bennett family sorry for your loss. My prayers goes out to you.
Arthur Mardis
February 16, 2018
A soft-spoken man who within a conversation using few words gave me the impression that he was a very wise man.
February 16, 2018
Mr Bennett have left a deep impression on the mind and heart of many one that will not be forgotten..my deepest condolences to hi children's Nn tx.
J Taylor
February 16, 2018
My condolences and heartfelt prayers to the family and friends during this most difficult time. May the God of all comfort, comfort you and grant you peace now and in the days ahead.
February 16, 2018
My sincerest condolemces to the Bennett family. Please find comfort in the words at 1Cor. 15:26
linda
February 16, 2018
Dear Bennett family, the loss of a family patriarch is a great loss. I'm sorry for yours. Your loved one had much to share and it can be called to mind be cause he left an indelible mark on your memory. Our creator has a vast memory and he will remember us to in his book of remembrance as stated at malachi 3 : 16
February 16, 2018
May Almighty God bind up your broken heart, may he bring you comfort in the days and the weeks ahead as you work towards a routine may God continue give you the strength to endure. My sincere condolences to family and friends. Psalm 115:16 ; Isaiah 61:1,2 Wendy, Kennesaw,Ga
February 16, 2018
Though he earned many accolades and rightly so, he always kept his head to the sky and his feet on the ground. He did not hold back his feelings on civil rights and injustices as expressed in his books and articles. Black history month has taken on another beacon in this special month.
S. Smith
BARB HART
February 16, 2018
Today, I memorialize Lerone Bennett Jr. Obituary here at my Work Station. Part of my history, part of my college education, I can attribute to the work he was a part of while with Ebony Magazine. Rest in Peace Lerone; You have served us well...
Denise B
February 16, 2018
May the God of all comfort be with your family at this time of loss. Soon Gods kingdom will do away with all things that causes pain and suffering. Matthew 14:36 When just touching Jesus garment will make us well.
Dee Marshall
February 16, 2018
Thank you Mr. Bennett, for getting me through undergrad school with your books and articles that I often used for research papers!
Dr. Harold Jackson
February 16, 2018
I credit Lerone with me make the transition from student journalist to Ebony nearly 50 years ago; his counsel was invaluable to my career. May he rest in peace.
February 16, 2018
Sorry for your loss. May god comfort and keep you during this time of grief.
Mz. Banks
February 16, 2018
To The Family: So Sorry for your Loss and May God Continue to bless you and keep you all close together.
Thank you Mr. Bennett Sir for The Ebony Magazine: What a "phenomenal" piece of work!!!
C S
February 16, 2018
So sorry to hear about Mr.Bennett,how could anyone who grew up in my era not know of him.He broke barriers and showed us all what we could be.Ebony magazine was our news magazine.We were all so proud as if he were our own family.My sincere condolences to the family.May our God of peace and tender mercies and comfort be with the family at this trying time in your life.
February 16, 2018
My Condolence to your family,
Your not alone , God cares for you and will soon end your pain and sorrow. -James 4:8
Ms.Morgan
Lamont Simmons
February 16, 2018
My deepest sympathy goes out to the family, friends, colleagues and neighbors on the passing of the beloved Lerone. He was a pillar in our community and is sorely missed.
Gus and Pat
February 16, 2018
My husband and I would like to express our sincere condolences to the Bennett family for the loss of Mr. Bennett. Surely, he will be missed, but his legacy remains. May the God of all comfort be with all affected by this loss.
February 16, 2018
RIP Brother!
Marilyn Longmire Ware
February 15, 2018
To Connie, Courtney, and Joy; my sincere condolences are offered in the passing of your Great dad and father. I have often thought of and made reference to him. His memory will live on forever in the hearts of many. I would love to attend the funeral and will be looking for the service announcement. I will hold you up in my prayers. I understand the loss of a parent as I have also lost my father and mother... Marilyn Longmire Ware ... Aquinas .. grad with Courtney and Connie.
February 15, 2018
Sorry about your loss. Mr. Bennett Jr. will be missed sadly. Thoughts and prayers in your times of need. Keep his fond memories close at heart.
J. E. Robinson
February 15, 2018
As a writer, Lerone Bennett made history what it is supposed to be: accessible. Most fitting for him to expire during the traditional Negro History Week!
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