Clay Bennett

1955 - 2022

Funeral service for Clay Bennett, 66 of Poteau, will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 6, 2022, at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Center in Poteau with Mr. Jeff Jenson officiating.
Pallbearers will be Tommy Robertson, Johnny Baggs, Olen Arnall, Jerry Beale, Jon Pickle, Michael Hesson, Scotty White and Dan (Hutch) Hutchinson. Honorary pallbearers will be Harold Nebraski, Connie Shockley, Wimp Webb, Monty Shockley II, Jim Sommers, Phillip Zearly, Larry Wright, Jim Holstead, Charlie Covey, Dr. Melinda Scantling, N.P., Tami Sprabery and B.J. Noel.
Burial will follow at Oakland Cemetery in Poteau under the direction of Evans and Miller Funeral Home.
Viewing will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 5, 2022, at Evans and Miller Funeral Home with the family greeting friends from 6-8 p.m. Saturday.
Clay was born Oct. 7, 1955, in Mulberry, Ark., to Laura (Eddy) Bennett and Cecil W. Bennett and passed away Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in Tulsa.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Gale and Bryan Bennett and sister Karen Hessen.
Clay was born in Mulberry, then resided with six other brothers and sisters in Alma, Ark., where he went to school and graduated in 1973.
He met the love of his life Pam Sargent in 1972, and they were married in June 1973.
Clay worked for AHC Motor Company in Alma before accepting a job with Green Light Auto Store which is what brought him to Poteau.
After moving to Poteau, he knew Poteau was the place they wanted to call home. In order to grow professionally and personally, and to provide the best life possible for Pam and his two children Gwen and Matt, he accepted a position at Central National Bank, which began his banking career, ending with The Community State Bank. During this time, he served as Boy Scout leader, as coach of little league football and baseball, as a member of Ducks Unlimited and the National Wild Turkey Federation, volunteering with youth hunts for the Delta Water Fowl Association and master mason at Masonic Lodge No. 46 in Poteau.
He was on the City Council for more than 23 years where he served as president of the council. He was chairman of the Leflore County Development Coalition, and member and past president of the Poteau Chamber of Commerce.
After 40 years of banking, he spent most of his time hunting, fishing, camping, spending time at the cabin, mornings at the glass shop and Baggs Body Shop and spoiling grandkids, which was his favorite past time.
Children across the community many times would refer to Clay as Santa Claus, as he would act as Santa's helper  for many Christmas parties in the community. Clay Bennett was the meaning of community, love, trust, faith and comfort, giving, selflessness, graciousness and forgiveness. His sense of humor was known by many, but understood by few.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Clay Bennett Memorial Scholarship Fund ? The Community State Bank.
Survivors include his wife of 48 years Pam Bennett, daughter Gwen Bennett-Bliss, son Matt Bennett, sister Judy Williamson, brothers Joe Bennett and Donnie Bennett, grandchildren Ty Bennett, Beau Bennett, Sophia Bliss, Blake Bliss and Nora Bliss, numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and loved ones.
You may leave an online message at www.evansandmillerfuneralhomes.com.
The family has chosen to entrust the care of the services to Evans and Miller Funeral Home.