June 13, 1937 – Aug. 30, 2022

In a celebration of his life, graveside services for Donald Ray Bennett, 85, of Cleburne, were conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 2, at the Bono Cemetery, with a Celebration of Life Memorial Service following at 11 a.m. at Bono Baptist Church.

Serving as pallbearers were Luke Bennett, Lance Bennett, Matt Gillard,Tommy Jordan, Randy Jordan, and Jerrod Sparger. Honorary Pallbearers were the Donald Bennett Bono Sunday School Class.

Mr. Bennett lay in state from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1, at Rosser Funeral Home. The family also received friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday evening at the Bennett’s home.

Donald Bennett passed away Tuesday, Aug. 30, at his home. He was born June 13, 1937, in Odell, the son of Vivian Elizabeth (Jackson) and Loy Robert Bennett.

Donald lived in Odell from birth until 1957. He married Priscilla Mordecai on July 17, 1959 in Chillicothe.

Donald graduated from Odell High School as“high boy” and there is a certificate as proof. He also graduated “with honors” from the “School of Hard Knocks”. He went on to receive a Bachelors of Science and Masters of Education from Texas Tech University.

Leaving Lubbock in 1960, Donald and Priscilla made their home in Jacksboro, where he was a Vocational Agriculture Teacher for 13 years before moving to Cleburne in 1973. Donald was the Vocational Administrator with Cleburne ISD for 20 years implementing many of the innovative changes in vocational education still in place today.

After his retirement from CISD, he served as the Executive Director of Texas Neighborhood Services for five years.

He also served as the Administrator for Cleburne Christian Academy from 2000 to 2006.

Making the move from Cleburne to the Bono Community in 1991, Donald and Priscilla were members of the Bono Baptist Church where he served as deacon and Sunday school teacher. Donald also oversaw and managed the growth of many of the facilities at the church. He never actually retired!

Donald was preceded in death by his parents, Loy and Vivian Bennett; brother, Roger Bennett, and sister-in-law, Elaine Bennett.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Priscilla Bennett; son, Landy Bennett and wife, Lezlie, and son, Lacey Bennett; grandchildren, Lauren (Matt) Gillard, Lance (Danielle) Bennett, Luke (Kathy) Bennett, Chloe Bennett, and Caitlyn Bennett; great grandsons, Grayson, Cason, and Peyton Gillard; brothers, Wayne (Marie) Bennett and Kent (Judy) Bennett; many nieces and nephews; and other family members and dear friends.

Memorials may be made to Bono Baptist Church designated for either Nindiri Baptist Church in Nicaragua or to YWAM Wylie - Beloved 1 Ministry.