Asa M. Bennett

Washington - Mr. Asa Monroe Bennett, 93, of Washington, died peacefully at home on October 6, 2006. Born January 14, 1913 in Wilkes County, he was the son of the late Nathan Robert and Mattie (Woodruff) Bennett. His beloved wife, Annie Leila (Wells) Bennett, died in 1999. They were married in 1937.
As a youth in Wilkes County, Mr. Bennett attended Big Cedar School and graduated from Washington High School. He received a bachelorís degree in agriculture from the University of Georgia in 1935, having earned his tuition and board in the Depression years by creating a laundry pick-up and delivery service for college students living in dormitories.
After a brief period of working as an agricultural agent for the Atlantic Coast Railroad, Mr. Bennett returned to Wilkes County to buy land and work as a farmer, raising Hereford cattle and planting extensive acreage in trees for lumber. He also owned the Bennett Manufacturing Co., which manufactured Go-Karts from 1963 to 1977. He was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church in Washington.
Graveside services will be Monday, October 9, 2006, at 2:00 at Resthaven Cemetery in Washington.
He leaves two daughters, Mary Ann Hawkins, of Morrow, and Joyce B. Crouch, of Amherst, MA; one son, Asa William (Bill) Bennett, of Washington; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 6-8 at Hopkins Funeral Home in Washington.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Washington, or to the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, also in Washington.