Reba Bennett

Reba Belle Bennett, 86, of Lawrence, KS passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on November 20th 2024. Reba was born on September 23, 1938, in Burlington, Kansas, to Arthur and Ruth Ellen Salsbury. She was one of four children with brothers Arthur, Eugene (Dudley) and Robert (Bob). Reba's parents, along with Arthur and Robert have predeceased her. In her early years she was raised in Wichita, Kansas before later moving to Ottawa, KS, where she met and married the love of her life, Larry W. Bennett (deceased) on May 24,1959. They moved to Lawrence Kansas to raise their family in1961 and have been mainstays of the community ever since then. Reba and Larry were married for over forty (40) years before Larry passed away in December of 2001. They had three children: Christopher Bennett and his wife Robin, of Lawrence, Kansas, Pamela Patterson and her husband Chris of Raytown, Missouri and Michael Bennett and his wife Kerrie of Round Rock, Texas. In addition to her three children, Reba is survived by eight grandchildren: Cara McPherson, Jason Ballesteros, Reece Ballesteros, Jamie Patterson, Noel Patterson, Taylor Oakman, Cooper Bennett and Preston Bennett. She is also survived by four great-grandchildren: Garrett Oakman, Bailey Oakman, Colt Oakman and Calvin Ballesteros. Reba was a passionate and devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She loved to spend time camping and water skiing at Lake Perry and other various locations. She bowled in local leagues for over 50 years, mainly at Hillcrest Bowl, before her health deteriorated. In fact, she chose Wayne and Larry's at Hillcrest Bowl for her 80th birthday celebration. If you ever bought Avon in the 1970's, 80's or 90's then you probably met her as her career spanned over 30 years. She sold Avon from the early 70's until the fall of 2001 when she retired. She was devoted to her church originally Lawrence Wesleyan Methodist, currently known as Connect Church, and was an essential member of the congregation actively participating in its growth and relocations from 9th Street and Hillcrest Road to the former Elks Lodge on Clinton Parkway and finally to its current location in South Lawrence. In fact, Reba was named the Kansas Wesleyan lay person of the year in 2001. The family would like to give a special thanks to Molly Imber, Keep Living at Home and Visiting Nurses for providing outstanding care to our mother and allowing her to live her life at home.

A visitation will be held at Rumsey-Yost funeral home on November 24th at 5pm. The funeral will be held at Connect Church, 3351 W. 31st Street, Lawrence, KS on November 25th at 10am. Reba will be laid to rest next to husband at Lawrence Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Alzheimer's, Heart of America, Midwest Chapter 8001 Conser Ste 240 Overland Park, KS 66204.

Online condolences made at rumsey-yost.com