By Andrew Wigger

awigger@civitasmedia.com

A memorial was made at Superintendent Bennie Bennett’s parking spot at the District Office.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_Bennett2.jpgA memorial was made at Superintendent Bennie Bennett’s parking spot at the District Office. Carson Lambert | The Newberry Observer

A memorial stands near the site of the accident on S.C. 219.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_DSC_0878.jpgA memorial stands near the site of the accident on S.C. 219. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

PROSPERITY — Newberry County will be able to pay its final respects to Superintendent Bennie Bennett during a visitation and viewing scheduled for Thursday at Mid-Carolina High School.

Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the gym of Mid-Carolina High School. Bennett’s funeral will be held on Saturday in Rock Hill.

Benjamin Kelly Bennett said they expect a large turnout from the community for his father’s visitation.

“We have had a good turnout of people visiting our family, phone calls, emails and text messages. Daddy loved Newberry County and he did everything he could to make Newberry grow as a whole,” Bennett said. “As his son and a person, I do not want to deny anyone access.”

Since the announcement of his father’s passing, Bennett said people from the community and the entire state have reached out to the family. Many have already paid their respects to Bennett with their words and memories of him.

“To know him was to love him,” said Jerome Singleton, South Carolina High School League commissioner. “Bennie and I have been friends for many years, even before his tenure as superintendent or mine as commissioner. He was the kind of man who lifted you up, the kind of friend who made you laugh, the kind of leader that inspired you to do your best.

“There is so much I could share about my friend, but his legacy will be one of love, dedication and loyalty to his family, friends and the students he encountered, encouraged over his career in education,” he added. “I will miss him and the league is one champion less without him.”

Bennett previously served on the SCHSL Executive Committee as well as the National Federation of State High School Associations Board of Directors.

“I am deeply saddened that our friend and colleague, Bennie Bennett did not survive an auto accident Saturday evening. He served on the NFHS Board of Directors from 2010-14. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family,” Bob Gardner, executive director NFHS, stated.

While working as superintendent of Newberry County, Bennett worked with many on the state level, which included Molly Spearman, superintendent of education, and with the South Carolina School Boards Association.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the Newberry community as they mourn the tragic loss of their district superintendent, Bennie Bennett,” Spearman said via Facebook. “Bennie was an superb leader who cared deeply for the students, educators and staff in Newberry County Schools. He will be greatly missed.”

Scott Price, executive director of the South Carolina School Boards Association, echoed the sentiments of Spearman, Gardner and Singleton.

“Superintendent Bennett was a well-respected education leader who will be greatly missed by many and remembered as an outstanding, dedicated educator who was passionate about students and public education,” Price said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Superintendent Bennett’s family, the Newberry County community and everyone affected by this tragic loss.”

Benjamin Bennett said he would like to thank the community for its support.

“Just say thank you, thank you for accepting us, thank you for loving us, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. I cannot say enough, we love you and adore you. As my dad would say, we are one team,” Bennett said.

Reach Andrew Wigger at 803-276-0625 ext. 1867 or on Twitter @TheNBOnews.