Asheville Butterfly Trail
Anna was a wonderful educator. She had such patience with kids. I remember her being a leader in early childhood education. She was so loving and kind to her great niece and nephews. Anna was always making sure everyone else was taken care when we gathered for holiday meals. She truly loved a life of service to others. We will miss her so much. Nancy & Zach Barrier
Anna Mae Arnold Bennett
July 15, 1940 ~ July 26, 2026
Born in:
Meigs Co., OH
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Anna Mae Bennett, 86, of Asheville, NC, passed away on July 26, 2026, at Mission Hospital, where she peacefully met her Lord and Savior.
Anna was born on July 15, 1940, to the late Raymond and Irene Arnold and was proudly raised in Meigs County, Ohio, on the family farm alongside her brothers and sister. She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Charles “Chuck” Bennett; her sister, Betty Barrier; her brother, Walter Edmonds; her niece, Melanie Arnold; and her nephew, David Barrier. She is survived by her twin brother, Dan Arnold, of Pomeroy, OH; her brother, John Edmonds, of Huntington, WV; her brother, Bob Arnold and wife Bonnie, of Pomeroy; nephews, John Barrier, John Arnold, Jeff Arnold, Chuck Edmonds, and Roy Edmonds; nieces, Mary Bove, Sherry Shamblin, Angela Maynard, Melissa Drennan and Suzanne Campolo; and many great-nieces and great-nephews.
A proud graduate of Scipio High School, Anna served as valedictorian of her class before continuing her education at Kentucky Christian College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Education and graduated as vice president of her class. After college, she moved to Joliet, IL, to work with Mission Services, where she met the love of her life, Chuck. They were married in 1968 and shared 48 years of a happy marriage.
Anna devoted her life to children and Christian services. She began her career at Kiddie Kollege at the Nazarene Church in Bolingbrook, IL, later serving as assistant director and lead teacher at Silver Cross Hospital Child Care Center in Joliet. When the hospital center closed, she began a bold new chapter in home child care, dedicating 17 years to that work. During that time, she returned to college and earned an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education from Prairie State College in Chicago Heights, IL. She was also a member of Phi Theta Kappa National Scholastic Fraternity.
In 1980, Anna helped establish the Joliet Area Home Child Care Providers Association and served as its president for three years. She also helped begin the Illinois State Home Child Care Association and served as a regional representative. Her dedication to young children and child care professionals earned recognition in the Joliet Herald-News, Today’s Provider in Chicago, and Potpourri, a publication for childcare professionals.
In addition to her professional work, Anna faithfully served in Christian ministry throughout her life. In the churches she attended in Illinois, she devoted herself to children’s ministry, helping organize nursery programs and coordinating volunteers. In 1998, Anna and Chuck moved to Asheville to be closer to her sister. There, Anna continued her work with children as an assistant teacher with Community Action Opportunities in the Head Start Program. She spent three years at Oakley Elementary School, followed by service as an assistant teacher at Black Mountain Primary School Head Start. In 2005, Smart Start of Buncombe County honored Anna as one of 10 outstanding childcare professionals of the year. After 30 years of teaching, she retired from full-time work in June 2008 but remained part-time for several years thereafter.
Anna was also a devoted member of Swannanoa Christian Church, where she served in children’s ministry and co-led the senior citizens group. In recent years, she enjoyed attending Beverly Hills Baptist Church in East Asheville.
Anna was a strong-willed, disciplined, yet positive woman with unwavering faith. She took great pride in her heritage, adored her family, and helped begin the annual family reunion that continues to this day. She was deeply loved and respected in her community and was often described as a woman of strong faith and resilience. Anna enjoyed spending time in God’s Word, sewing, reading, journaling, gardening, hosting, and cooking. She will be remembered for her steadfast faith, loving heart, and lifelong devotion to children, family, and service to others.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Mission Hospital for the compassionate and nurturing care they provided to Anna during her final day.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Anna to ABCCM (Asheville-Buncombe Community Christian Ministry). A memorial service celebrating Anna’s life will be announced at a later date
Services
Funeral Home Assisting The Family:
Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 252-3535
http://grocefuneralhome.com
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