Palestine High School Alumni Association

07 / 01 / 1943  –  01 / 03 / 1971

Randall Arvel Bennett, age 27, of 704 E. Neches Street in Palestine, Texas died on January 3, 1971 as the result of an automobile accident when his car went off the roadway and crashed into a tree on Farm Road 645 two-tenths of a mile north of Tennessee Colony, Texas.

Highway Patrolmen Kenneth Buckhanan and James Campbell who investigated at the scene said Bennett was apparently killed instantly.  The crash occurred about 11:35 p.m.  Bennett was alone in the northbound car when it ran off the left side of the roadway and struck a tree head-on according to officers.  The car was demolished.

Randy was born in Palestine, Texas on July 1, 1943, the son of Grover Arvel Bennett and Ernestine Bell Bennett.  He lived here most of his life.  A 1962 graduate of Palestine High School and member of Memorial Christian Church here, he was employed as a mechanic at Bennett’s Garage in Grapeland.

Funeral services are to be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the First Baptist church of Grapeland with Rev. Kennith Mobley officiating.  Burial will be in the Pilgrim Cemetery near Elkhart.  The body will be at Hassell & Foster Funeral Home in Grapeland until being carried to the church for services.

Survivors include his father, G. A. Bennett of Grapeland; his mother, Mrs. B.L. (Ernestine Bell) Owens of Kenedy; two brothers, Tommy Bennett of Houston and Brian Paul Owens of Kenedy; three sisters, Miss Joleen, Bonnie and Jan Bennett, all of Grapeland; and his grandmother, Mrs. E. T. Bell of Palestine.

Source: Palestine Herald Press