James A. Bennett

James Arthur Bennett departed this life, peacefully, January 9, 2020, at the Prisma Health Baptist Center in Columbia, South Carolina.  “Cotton,” as he was affectionately known to many of his family and friends, was born January 26, 1953, to James and Lula Bennett, who proceeded him in death.  He was also preceded in death by Maggie, his parents’ firstborn. 

James graduated from Hillcrest High School in 1971.

James was a “political” commentator and avid sports fan.  His love and gift for baseball was shown through his years of playing and coaching the Pisgah Pirates.  He also played football at Hillcrest High School and was a passionate Buffalo Bills Football and Atlanta Braves Baseball fan.

He was employed by Invista (Formally E. I. DuPont) for 45 years before retiring in 2017.

James joined the Union Baptist Church at an early age where he served in many of the youth organizations and was currently serving as Vice-Chair of the Deacon Board, Men’s Sunday School Teacher, member of the Male Chorus, President of the Baptist Training Institute (B.T.U), and Financial Secretary.  James previously worked with Habitat for Humanity and also served as Union’s co-chair of the Winterization and Repair Ministry (WARM) Program, which is sponsored by Lyttleton Street United Methodist Episcopal Church. 

James leaves to mourn his dedicated wife of 47 years, Vivian Holiday Bennett; daughter, Jamaica T. Hopkins (Brenton); and son, Kison D. Bennett, along with fiancée Tangnakika and daughters, Jordyn and Kaitlyn. One granddaughter - the love of his life, Brylin Arielle Hopkins, who he often referred to as “PA-PA Baby.”

James also leaves to mourn five siblings, Lillian Dinkins (Lorenzo), Marion Bennett (Vermell), all of Rembert, SC, Frank Bennett (Betty) of Sumter, SC, Gladys Brooker (Charles) of Suffolk, VA, and Isaac Bennett (Mary Lou) of Pflugerville, TX; four sisters-in-law, Delores Holiday, Celestine Holiday, and Rosa Lee Holiday of Rembert, SC; Terri Carter (Kenneth) of Camden, SC; and three brothers-in-law, James Ed (Patricia) and Marion Ransom, all of Rembert, SC, and Alphonso Council (Tonia) of Lansing, MI; two god-daughters, Victoria Zico and Jamaya Dinkins.  He was dearly loved by special friends, Clarence and Tijuana Rainey, who became like family, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. 

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