Gloria "Jeanne" McKenzie Bennett

Gloria “Jeanne” McKenzie Bennett, “Jeanne” died May 31, 2026, in Ponce Inlet, Florida.

Born on in Decatur, Illinois, on June 19, 1941, Jeanne, as she was known to her family and friends moved with her family to Macon, Georgia in 1957 and was in the first graduating class of Margaret McEvoy High School. While there she made many lifelong friends who she saw regularly until her health made it difficult to travel.

After graduation Jeanne enjoyed her time working at the Macon Telegraph and JC Penney. But her greatest joy came after marrying the love of her life, James Gordon Bennett III in 1960 after meeting him at a “house party” in Florida.

Soon after their marriage they welcomed a son, James Gordon Bennett IV (Josephine) followed by daughter, Stephanie Bennett, son, Glenn Bennett and twin daughters, Shawna Bennett Parker (Jason) and Shannon Bennett.

Above all Jeanne loved to help others and her life was defined by loving acts of service. She was known for the hundreds of pecan pies she baked over the years to either welcome new neighbors and church members or remember those mourning a loss. She never scrimped on the pecans! The trunk of her car was always full of items to be dropped off to someone that needed a helping hand.

A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints she held many callings, but her greatest joy was teaching high school students the Gospel of Jesus Christ five mornings a week for Seminary. Later in life she served a mission for her church with her husband Gordon, working in the LDS Genealogy Library in Salt Lake City.

Her family looked forward to her Sunday dinners hoping her iconic squash fritters were on the menu. The dinner table regularly included guests including anyone needing a hot meal.

Some of Jeanne’s greatest joy came after welcoming 19 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Often greeted by a “Hey Sugar” they looked forward to her annual Christmas stockings and the greeting cards she sent regularly for birthdays and several holidays.

Jeanne was preceded in death by her parents Herman and Hazel McKenzie, her sister Barbara McKenzie McGuire and her granddaughter Haven Smith.

In lieu of flowers donations in Jeanne’s name can be made to Breakthrough T1D https://www.breakthrought1d.org/ways-to-give/ or a charity of your choice.

Visitation will be held at Hart’s Mortuary on Cherry Street, Macon from 5-7pm on Monday, June 8, 2026. Funeral services will take place at the Harts Mortuary Chapel on Cherry Street on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at 2pm with burial to follow at Riverside Cemetery.

Please visit www.hartsmort.com to express condolences.

Hart’s on Cherry Street, Hart's Mortuary and Cremation Center, 765 Cherry Street, Macon, GA 31201 has charge of the arrangements.