Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Alford Bennett of Carrollton were held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 14, at Carrollton Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Mike Allday officiating the services. Burial followed in Evergreen Cemetery in North Carrollton. Pallbearers were Roger Bennett, McNeil Bennett, Landon Turner, Jeff Coleman, Russell Wilson, and Calvin Bowlin. Honorary pallbearers were Johnny Bennett, Frank Peel, and Bubba Irwin.
Visitation was held at Carrollton Presbyterian Church on Sunday, Sept. 14, from 2 p.m. until service time.
Mary Alford Bennett, 86, passed away Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at The Orchard Retirement Community in Ridgeland. She was born in Chipley, Fla. to Paul and Jane Allen Alford. Mary was a member of Carrollton Presbyterian Church in Carrollton where she was active in the choir. She received her bachelor's degree from Mississippi State University in Education before beginning her teaching career at J.Z. George High School and Carroll Academy where she taught English. She was an avid reader and served for decades on the Board of Carroll County Library. She was also a member of the Cherokee Garden Club, and a charter member of the Daughters of the American Revolution Third Arrow Chapter. Mary enjoyed attending her monthly supper club, playing bridge with her friends and collecting Norman Rockwell plates and cranberry glass. She delighted in gardening, her goldfish pond, and raising Bassett Hounds. She was sweet, smart, firm and spicy. Her mantra was "God Bless America". She can now go fight with daddy about the cows and enjoy a game of bridge with her friends in Heaven.
She is survived by her daughters, Mary Allen Bennett of Jackson and Frances Bennett of Madison; two grandchildren: Malcolm McNeil Bennett IV and Arabella Ruth Bennett, both of Natchez. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Malcolm McNeil "Mack" Bennett, Jr.; son, Malcolm McNeil Bennett, III and sister, Lottie Alford Taylor.
Memorial contributions may be made to Carrollton Presbyterian Church, 604 Green Street, Carrollton, MS 38917.
Oliver Funeral Home of Winona handled the arrangements. An online guestbook may be signed at www.ofhwinona.com
