Carroll Lee “Kelly” (Rogers) Bennett, a Southern lady born in Chicago but raised in Shreveport, Louisiana, will be greatly missed by her family and friends who will cherish the memory of her beautiful, life-affirming spirit. She was generous, always pleasant, and full of unconditional love for her family and friends. Kelly was a military wife who moved with her husband and family around the country to support his Air Force career. Kelly loved to go and do, forever active and never wanting to miss anything. She was an avid reader and loved to travel, especially with her favorite travel companions. Kelly was a people person, always there to support others; giving of her time and resources to help those less fortunate or in need.
Kelly loved everything blue, including her blue glass collection, her pool and the ocean where she loved to gather shells and sit to watch and listen to the waves. Kelly loved the water and puttered around the bay in her little boat with her dog on the bow. She swam in a lagoon with her dolphin friends. She also loved her horses and her dogs nearly as much as she loved her children. One of her favorite spots was her backyard; when she wasn’t enjoying her swimming pool she loved to tinker in her garden and relax on her patio. Yoga and her yoga friends offered another source of friendship, relaxation and meditation.
Her professional life began in Washington D.C as a church secretary and moved upward to an executive administrative assistant at a professional consulting firm. When they moved to Florida, she became a legal secretary and accountant. Kelly was a long-time volunteer at the First Baptist Church Christian Life Center in Fort Walton Beach and at the Shalimar Library Thrift Shop, where she used her accounting skills. She also provided piano accompaniment at a local assisted-living facility for Sunday church service and was involved in Women’s Missions.
Born in 1933, Carroll (Kelly) left this world peacefully May 21, 2020, to be with her Lord. Kelly is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Lt. Col. Robert E. Bennett, Sr., her sister Lynn Rogers, her children and their families; daughter Ann Gill, her husband Randall Gill, granddaughter Laura Gill and great grandson Archer; daughter Robin Bennett and granddaughter Maia Pike and her husband Jeremy, and granddaughter Danielle Russek; son Robert E. Bennett, Jr., his wife Anne and granddaughter Georgia Henderson and her husband Nathaniel, and great-grandchildren Preston, Savannah and Luke and granddaughter Emily Sauvageau and her husband John. “Granny” to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, her spirit will live on through them.
A memorial service was held May 30 at the First Baptist Church of Fort Walton Beach in Florida.
